Illuminated eyewear

ABSTRACT

Illuminated eyewear is provided that directs light forwardly from the user when wearing the eyewear. The illuminated eyewear herein is in the form of eyeglasses, either with or without lenses, or with a lens or lenses that can be refractive or non-refractive, that in one aspect has the lights arranged so as to optimize their performance. In another aspect, the illustrated eyewear herein has electrical components for the lights arranged to provide enhanced aesthetics over prior lighted eyeglasses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/687,822, filed Jan. 14, 2010, which is a continuation ofprior U.S. application Ser. No. 11/557,748, filed Nov. 8, 2006, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,661,818, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 10/571,796, which is a national stage entry ofInternational Application Number PCT/US02/35665, filed Nov. 7, 2002, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,562,979, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 10/145,595, filed May 14, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,612,696, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/006,919, filed Nov. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,695;which are all hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. application Ser. No.11/941,558, filed Nov. 16, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part ofprior International Application Number PCT/US2006/018968, filed May 17,2006, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/681,852, filed May 17, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/746,217, filed May 2, 2006; which are all incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety. This application claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/247,243, filed Sep. 30, 2009; which isall hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates to hands-free lighting devices and, moreparticularly, to illuminated eyewear.

BACKGROUND

Often an individual desires a light source to illuminate an area whileperforming a task or a light source directed in a general outwarddirection for visibility. Holding a flashlight is an option, but suchlighting devices are often cumbersome and may detract from the taskbeing completed because the flashlight must be held. As a result,hands-free lighting is often used because the individual desiringillumination does not need to hold the light source. Common types ofhand-free lighting include light sources mounted to headgear oreyeglasses.

Light sources on eyeglasses usually include mounting arrangements of thelight source, which may be an LED, on either the cross-frame or templeof the eyeglass so as to provide illumination forwardly of the wearer.In such configuration, lighted eyeglasses are typically used to providedirected or focused light so that an area immediately forward of thewearer, e.g., 6-24 inches from their eyes, can be illuminated for taskssuch as reading typical sized print. For other activities, such aswalking at night, camping or emergency use, lighting areas even furtherahead of the individual may be desirable. However, prior lighted glassesconfigured to provide hands-free lighting for some of these variouspurposes have often been heavy, bulky, inconvenient, and/or otherwiseprovide unsatisfactory performance:

Some prior lighted glasses have separate and bulky lighting modulesfastened to the glasses such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,767 toMurphy et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,760 to Wu; and U.S. Pat. No.3,769,663 to Perl. Because of their large lighting modules, theseglasses are bulky and may be fairly heavy making them inconvenient for auser to wear. Further, these prior lighted glasses conspicuously mountthe lighting modules to the glasses or incorporate electronic componentsfor the lighting therein so that the presence of the light modules orelectronic components is visually prominent when the glasses are worn,giving the glasses an unsightly appearance.

Prior lighted glasses are also known where lighting components includingthe light and power sources and the light switch are distributed alongthe eyeglass frame by mounting the light source to the front cross-framemember of the glasses and then mounting the other electrical componentsfor the light source to the temple arms. In one arrangement, wires ofthe electrical components are run from the power source to the lightsource across the pivot connections between the temple arms and thefront cross-frame member, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,071to Feldman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,762 to Soll. These glasses, however,can complicate the pivoting action between the temple arms and the frontframe member due to the wires spanning the pivot connection between thetemple arms and front, cross-frame member of the glasses. If the wiresare run outside of the frame of the glasses, the glasses are providedwith art unsightly appearance.

Lighted glasses are known that utilize the pivoting motion of the templearms to turn the lights on and off so that the glasses have hingeswitches, such as those as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,385 to Lii;and U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,127 to Rosenwinkel; and U.S. Patent PublicationNos. 2003/0189824 to Meeder et al. and 2006/0012974 to Su. The hingeswitch powers the light source when the temple arms are unfolded andturns off the light source when the temple arms are folded. Typically,the hinge switch employs separate electrical contacts on the temple armand the cross-frame member so that when the temple arms are unfolded,the contacts engage each other to provide power to the light source. Inthis manner, use of wires spanning the pivot connections between thetemple arms and cross-frame member is avoided. However, the use ofmoving parts to establish an electrical connection between a powersource mounted to the temple arms and a light source mounted to thecross-frame member creates reliability problems. For instance, withrepeated usage and pivoting of the temple arms relative to the frontcross-frame member, the tolerances therebetween can change so that thedegree of engagement between the contacts changes which can causeintermittent conductance between the contacts when the temple armmembers are pivoted open. Such intermittent conductance results in thelights blinking on and off. Similarly, repeated usage can cause wear ofthe engagement surfaces of the contacts also resulting in the blinkingproblem created by intermittent conductance across the contacts. Inaddition, if the glasses only use a hinge switch, the lights are alwayson when the temple arms are pivoted open and thus cannot be used asconventional, unlighted glasses. One solution is to provide anotheron/off switch, but this undesirably adds complexity and cost to thelighted glasses and requires additional electronics on the glasses whichcan contribute to an unsightly appearance.

SUMMARY

Illuminated eyewear is provided that directs light forwardly from theuser when wearing the eyewear. The illuminated eyewear herein is in theform of eyeglasses, either with or without lenses, or with a lens orlenses that can be refractive or non-refractive, that in one aspect hasthe lights arranged so as to optimize their performance. In anotheraspect, the illustrated eyewear herein has electrical components for thelights arranged to provide enhanced aesthetics over prior lightedeyeglasses.

In one form, the eyewear includes a pair of temple arm members whereeach temple arm member has a forward and rearward end. Each temple armmember also has inner and outer surface portions that have a flatconfiguration and extend lengthwise between the forward and rearwardends of the respective temple arm members. The eyewear further includesa front support including, at least in part, a bridge portion thatextends between the forward ends of the temple arms members. Pivotconnections couple the temple arm members with the front supportallowing the temple arm members to pivot relative thereto. The eyewearalso includes a light source mounted to each temple arm and a pluralityof thin, compact generally flat batteries, such as conventionaldisc-shaped coin-cell batteries, for providing power to the lightsources. Peripheral shapes for the flat batteries other than circularare also contemplated such as with rechargeable coin-cell batteries thathave an oblong configuration. Each temple arm member includes a narrowwidth battery compartment positioned between the flat inner surfaceportion and the flat outer surface portion of the temple arm member. Thenarrow width battery compartments are sized so that a pair of thin, flatbatteries may be received in a non-overlapping, side-by-side arrangementwith main flat surfaces of the batteries facing the flat inner and outersurface portions of the respective temple arm members. The plurality ofbatteries are connected to the light sources by an electrical connectionto be powered thereby. Accordingly, for each temple arm member, thelight source, the associated batteries, and the electrical connectiontherebetween are mounted to the temple member so that there are noelectrical components that span the pivot connections between the templearm members and the front support.

So configured, the illuminated eyewear has temple arm members thatmaintain a narrow width while at the same time also include all of thelighting components in the temple arm members. This configuration ofeyewear that mounts the light source, batteries, and the electricalconnection therebetween all in the respective temple arm members avoidsthe unsatisfactory performance issues associated with prior hingeswitches because electrical power is not routed through or otherwisereliant on operation of a hinge. Moreover, by employing a narrow widthbattery compartment between the inner and outer surface of the templearm members to receive the pair of thin, flat batteries in anon-overlapping and side-by-side arrangement, the eyewear, and inparticular, the temple arm members, retain an appearance as they wouldwith traditional eyeglasses. As is apparent, it should be understoodthat in this instance the non-overlapping, side-by-side arrangement issuch that the adjacent portions of the side edges of the coin-cellbatteries are closely spaced generally along a longitudinal, axis ofeach of the temple arm members. The narrow battery compartment andside-by-side arrangement of the thin, flat batteries eliminates bulkyand unsightly modules and large bulges in the eyeglass frame to housebatteries such as with conventional, generally cylindrical flashlightbatteries and avoids the unsightly appearance this arrangement createsas can be seen in the prior lighted glasses such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 2,638,532 to Brady.

In another form, the eyewear includes a front support including, atleast in part, a bridge portion that generally extends laterally along alateral axis. The eyewear further includes a pair of temple arm membersand a pivot connection between each of the temple arm members and thefront support. So configured, the temple arm members are pivotal betweena use configuration with the temple arm members extending rearwardlyfrom the front support along respective fore-and-aft axes that aregenerally orthogonal to the lateral axis, and a storage configurationwith the temple arm members generally extending laterally adjacent tothe front support along the lateral axis. Adjacent to each of the pivotconnections are a front frame portion and a light source. Each frontframe portion includes a blinder surface adjacent the light source andat a laterally inward location therefrom. The binder surface extendstransversely to the lateral axis, and preferably at a laterally inwardcant obliquely to the lateral axis to be inclined relative thereto.

So configured, the blinder surfaces minimize incident light from thelight sources from causing glare when the temple arms are pivoted to theuse configuration and the illuminated eyewear is worn with the lightson.

In a preferred form, the light sources are LEDs that have apredetermined light cone such as 40 degree LEDs, and the preferredcanted blinder surfaces are inclined to the lateral axis in a manner toavoid significant interference with the cones of light generated by theLEDs while blocking incident light outside the light cones from reachingthe eyes of the wearer of the lighted eyeglasses. Most preferably, theinclination of the blinder surfaces is substantially matched to theangle of the light cone so that only incident light from the LEDs isblocked by the blinder surfaces.

In another aspect, the illuminated eyewear has a cross-frame member thatincludes the front frame portions so that the blinder surfaces areintegrated in the cross-frame member. The front frame portions are atlateral ends of the cross-frame member and extend laterally andrearwardly to the pivot connections with the temple arm members at theirforward ends, at which the LEDs are mounted. Thus, when the temple armmembers are pivoted to their use configuration, this pivots the LEDs tobe adjacent a rear portion of the inclined blinder surfaces integratedinto the cross-frame member. In a preferred form, the blinder surfaceseach can be formed as a generally semi-frustoconical surface so that anotch opening is formed at the rearward end of the semi-frustoconicalsurface into which the LED is pivoted when the temple arm members arepivoted open to their use configuration.

In yet another form, the illuminated eyewear includes a pair of templearm members with each temple arm member having forward and rearwardends, and a front support including, at least in part, a bridge portionthat extends laterally between the forward ends of the temple armmembers. A hinge is provided between each of the forward ends of thetemple arm members and the laterally extending front support that allowseach temple arm member to be shifted between an open configuration,where the temple arm members are pivoted away from the laterallyextending front support to extend rearwardly therefrom, and a closedconfiguration, where the temple arm members are pivoted toward thelaterally extending front support to extend therealong adjacent thereto.Each temple arm member includes a light source mounted thereto forprojecting light therefrom, a power source for providing power to thelight source, and a switch for turning the light source on and off. Eachtemple arm member also includes a laterally inner surface portion thatgenerally faces laterally inwardly toward the other laterally innersurface portion when the temple arm members are shifted to the openconfiguration. Each laterally inner surface portion includes a recessedcavity sized to receive the power source and the switch therein suchthat the presence of the power source and the switch is substantiallyhidden from view.

By providing the cavity for the power source and switch recessed intothe laterally inner surface portion of the temple arm member, theilluminated eyewear in this form has an appearance more similar toconventional non-illuminated eyewear. For example, prior lightedeyeglasses commonly have light modules mounted to an outer surface ofeyeglass temple arms facing laterally outward therefrom. Configured thisway, the light module projects outwardly from the laterally outer facingsurface, making the eyewear significantly wider and prominentlydisplaying the module so it can be readily seen when the lightedeyeglasses are worn. Likewise, prior lighted eyeglasses with a batterycompartment recessed into the outer surfaces of the temple arms exposethe battery compartment cover so that it is readily visible when theeyeglasses are worn. These conspicuous displays of lighting componentsin prior lighted eyeglasses detract from the aesthetics and appearanceof the eyewear. The illuminated eyewear of this form, on the other hand,has all of the lighting components mounted to the temple arm members andconcealed therein in a manner so that it is not immediately apparentthat the illumination components are present on the glasses. Morespecifically, by recessing the compartment for the power source andswitch in the inner surface portion of the temple arm, the lightedeyewear herein can appear to be substantially similar to conventionaleyeglasses when being worn.

In yet another form, the illuminated eyewear includes a pair of templearm portions, each having rear end portions configured to rest on auser's ears and opposite forward end portions. The illuminated eyewearfurther includes a front support portion that includes opposite endportions and an intermediate bridge portion configured to rest on auser's nose. Pivot or hinge connections are positioned between theforward end portions of the temple arm portions and the opposite endportions of the front support portion. So configured, the temple armportions and the front support portion have a use configuration wherethe front support portion generally extends along a lateral axis and thetemple arm portions extend along longitudinal axes that are generallyorthogonal to the lateral axis. A light source is mounted adjacent toeach of the pivot connections so as to be canted laterally inwardly fromthe respective longitudinal axis of the temple arm portion anddownwardly from the front support portion to provide forwardillumination inwardly and downwardly therefrom. The illuminated eyewearalso includes a pair of thin, generally flat batteries for each lightsource. A portion of each temple arm portion is enlarged in at least twodirections orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinalaxis. Each temple arm enlarged portion has a battery compartment forfitting the pair of batteries in a stacked, overlapping orientationtherein. As is apparent, it should be understood that in this instance,the thin, flat batteries, e.g., coin-cell batteries, can be described asbeing in side-by-side arrangement with adjacent main, side surfacesthereof in facing relation, and preferably engaging one another toprovide an electrical connection therebetween.

In this form of the illuminated eyewear, the inward and downward cant ofthe light source advantageously provides an overlap between the lightbeams projected by the light sources that is focused forwardly of thewearer in their field of view. Thus, the wearer does not need to tilt orshift their head to align the light sources or orient the illuminationto focus the light beams within the wearer's field of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of illuminated eyewear showing temple armmembers in a pivoted open configuration relative to a cross-frame memberwith an LED light source on each temple arm disposed adjacent respectiveblinder portions of the cross-frame member;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the illuminated eyewear showingboth of the LED light sources adjacent corresponding blinder portions ofthe front, cross-frame member;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the illuminated eyewear showing the LED lightsources being canted laterally inward so that the axes of light conesprojected therefrom are canted laterally inward toward each other;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view partially in section showingan inclined surface of the blinder portion having an inclinationsubstantially aligned with that of the inner edge of the light cone;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing one of the temple arm membersincluding an integral tubular LED holder that directs the light conedownwardly;

FIG. 6 is an elevated view of one of the temple arm members showing abattery compartment cover and a light switch actuator adjacent thereto;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, exploded view of a portion of the temple armmember of FIG. 6 showing a battery compartment recessed in an innersurface of the temple arm member;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the other temple arm member showing aswitch compartment adjacent the battery compartment;

FIG. 9 is a enlarged side elevational view of an exemplary LED for usewith hands-free lighting devices showing an LED lens having lightreflective and blocking coatings thereon;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged side elevational view of an alternative LEDshowing reflective tape wrapped about the LED lens;

FIG. 10A is a side elevational view of illuminated eyewear in accordancewith the present invention showing one of the temple arms in an extendedposition and a light module attached to the arm;

FIG. 10B is a side elevational view of the illuminated eyewear of FIG.10A showing the arm in a retracted position;

FIG. 11A is a side elevational view of alternative, illuminated eyewearin accordance with the present invention showing one of the temple armsin an extended position and a light module attached to the arm;

FIG. 11B is a side elevational view of the illuminated eyewear of FIG.11A showing the arm in a retracted position;

FIG. 11C is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the temple arms of FIGS.10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B showing a releasable locking structure betweenforward and rearward segments of the arm;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the illuminated eyewear of FIG. 10 showingboth of the temple arms and a cross-frame member extending between theforward ends of the arms in an extended position;

FIG. 13A is a plan view of the illuminated eyewear of FIGS. 10A and 10Bshowing both the temple arms and the cross-frame member in theirretracted positions;

FIG. 13B is a plan view of the illuminated eyewear of FIGS. 11A and 11Bshowing both the temple arms and cross-frame member in their retractedpositions;

FIGS. 14-21 are plan and side elevational views of alternative templeportions for illuminated eyewear having integrated power sources andLEDs;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the illuminated eyewear and a battery chargerfor recharging the integrated power source of the temple arms;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of alternative illuminated eyewear showing apower module carried on a lanyard for the frames;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a LED embodying features of the presentinvention showing a lens and pair of lead surrounded by a protectivecovering;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the LED in FIG. 24 generally takenalong lines 50-50 showing the protective covering surrounding the LED;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the LED in FIG. 24 generally takenalong lines 51-51 showing the protective covering surrounding the LEDlens;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the LED in FIG. 24 generally takenalong lines 52-52 showing the protective covering surrounding the LEDleads

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of lighted reading glasses in accordancewith the present invention showing the glasses used to read materialheld at a normal reading distance range;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the reading glasses of FIG. 1showing a lighting module attached to a forward end portion of one ofthe temple arms of the glasses;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the glasses of FIG. 2 showing a light switchshifted to activate the lights to generate cones of light emanatingtherefrom;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the light module showing the compactconfiguration of a housing of the module with a slot opening for theswitch and a forward opening for the light in the form of an LED;

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the light module of FIG. 31 showing apair of coin cell batteries used to power the LED;

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the light module showing the coincells in phantom and the tapered configuration of the housing from thewidest diameter to hold the coin cells therein;

FIG. 34 is a front elevational view of the light module showing the thinconfiguration of the housing;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 33showing light mounting surfaces for orienting the LED to project lightat an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the forward portion of themodule to show more clearly the preferred angle at which the LEDs aremounted in the housing;

FIG. 37 is a diagramatic view of the lighted glasses showing therespective inwardly directed cones of light produced by each of thelight modules and the overlapping lighted area they create in thereading distance range;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of the lighting modules modified so that eachinclude a blinder extension integral with the extension disposed betweenthe LEDs and the adjacent lenses; and

FIG. 39 is an enlarged elevational view of the lighting module of FIG.17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general and as further described below, illuminated eyewear, whichmay or may not include a lens or lenses 21 attached thereto, is providedto provide lighting forwardly of the wearer. The illuminated eyewear 10can be configured to have a typical eyeglass frame 11 with a pluralityof generally rigid frame members including a pair of spaced temple armmembers 12 and a front cross-frame member 14 extending laterally betweenthe temple arm members 12. As illustrated, the temple arm members 12 arepivotally connected to the cross-member 14 via hinges 30 at the juncturebetween laterally opposite end portions 16 of the cross-frame member 14and front end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12.

Other constructions for the frame 11 of the lighted eyewear 10 are alsocontemplated including those where the cross-frame member 14 is modifiedto include several components or parts or where these parts aresubstantially reduced or even eliminated such as by only including anintermediate bridge portion or member 20 connected at either end thereofto lenses 21. The cross-member 14 can also have the laterally outer,front frame end portions 16 connected only to the laterally outwardportions of the lenses 21 with these outer frame portions 16 beingseparate from the intermediate bridge portion 20 so that the cross-framemember 14 includes multiple parts. Alternatively, only a single lens 21may be provided extending between and pivotally connected to the forwardend portions 44 of the temple arm members 12 with the bridge portion 20integrated into the lens 21 so that lens 21 constitutes part of theeyeglass frame. The lenses 21 themselves may be either refractive toprovide vision correction or non-refractive to only provide atransparent shield for protection, as with safety glasses. Manifestly,the lens or lenses 21 need not be provided as the eyeglass frame couldbe used only to provide for hands-free lighting. Herein, the term frontsupport contemplates all these and other constructions for the single ormultiple part cross-frame member with or without lenses where the frontsupport is used to support the front portion of the lighted eyeglassesherein on a person wearing the lighted eyeglasses.

The frame 11 of the illuminated eyeglasses 10 could also be one integralpiece, with or without lens or lenses 21, with the hinges 30 between thetemple arm and cross-frame or front support portions being in the formof living hinges. In this regard, the hinges would be portions of theframe 11 that are resiliently flexible such as by being reduced in theircross-sectional thickness over adjacent frame portions to allow thetemple arm portions 12 to be resiliently folded to a substantiallyclosed position adjacent the front support to a provide a compactstorage configuration for fitting in an eyeglass case for example, withthe temple arm portions 12 resiliently returning to their useconfiguration extending generally rearwardly from the front support whenthe eyeglasses 10 are removed from the storage case.

The illuminated eyewear 10 preferably has at least a pair of lightsources 18 mounted thereto to provide lighting forwardly of a wearer.The light sources 18 are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs), butother suitable electroluminescent lamps, suitable incandescent lamps,gas discharge lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, or any othersuitable light source, such as a laser diode, can be utilized.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, one form of exemplary illuminated eyewear 10 isillustrated in more detail. As mentioned above, the front-support orcross-frame member 14 includes the intermediate bridge portion 20intermediate of the end portions 16. The bridge portion 20 is configuredto allow the cross-frame member 14 to rest on and be supported by thebridge of a wearer's nose. The bridge portion 20 includes downwardly andrearwardly extending side rests 22 configured to engage the sides of thewearer's nose. As illustrated, the bridge portion 20 is a portion of theillustrated integral, one-piece cross-frame member 14 and has atruncated generally triangular shape, however, the bridge portion 20could alternatively include other configurations, such as employingadjustable pads attached to the cross-frame member 14 configured tocontact and rest upon the sides of the wearer's nose instead of the siderests 22 and frame configuration.

In the illustrated form, the cross-frame member 14 of the illuminatedeyewear 10 includes an upper frame portion 24 and a lower frame portion26 extending from both sides of the bridge portion 20 to the endportions 16 thereof. However, the front support may also include aframeless construction or have only either the upper frame portion 24 orthe lower frame portion 26. In another approach, the front support 14consists of the bridge portion 20 attached directly to lenses, whichthen can attach directly to the temple arm members 12 or can have anintermediate frame part or portion pivotally coupling the lenses to thetemple arm members 12. Other configurations for the front support couldalso be employed, as has been previously discussed.

The end portions 16 can have a generally arcuate configuration to extendlaterally from the laterally outer portions of the lenses 23 andrearwardly to be pivotably connected to the temple arm members 12, ascan be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As illustrated, the upper frame memberportion 24 and the lower frame member portion 26 form lens openings 28in which the lenses 21 are fit. The lens openings 28 are configured tosupport a variety of eyeglass lens types. For example, the lens openings28 may be used to support lenses used for safety glasses, sunglasses,prescription glasses, other protective eyewear, or any suitablecombination thereof. Alternatively, the lens openings 28 can be leftempty and/or the cross-frame member 14 can be formed without the lowerframe member portion 26.

The forward end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12 are pivotallyconnected to the end portions 16 of the cross-frame member 14 by thehinges 30 to form pivot connections therebetween to allow the temple armmembers 12 to pivot relative thereto. When pivoted to an open or useconfiguration as shown in FIG. 1, the temple arm members 12 extendgenerally rearwardly from the cross-frame member 14 along fore-and-aftaxes L1 that are generally orthogonal to a lateral axis L2 along whichthe cross-frame member 14 generally extends. The temple arm members 12are also configured to pivot or shift to a collapsed, closed, or storageconfiguration with each temple arm member 12 generally extendinglaterally along the L2 axis adjacent to the cross-frame member 14. Ascan be seen in FIG. 3, both the temple arm members 12 and thecross-frame member 14 have curvatures such that they do not extendlinearly along their respective axes L1 and L2 but rather more generallytherealong, as described above.

As discussed above, the temple arm members 12 are pivotally connected tothe cross-member 14 via the hinges 30 at the juncture between thelaterally opposite end portions 16 of the cross-frame member 14 and theforward end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12. In the illustratedform, the forward end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12 arethicker in the lateral direction than the remainder of the temple armmembers 12 extending rearwardly therefrom. The forward end portions 44of each of the temple arm members 12 are enlarged in two directions thatare orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L1of the temple arm members 12. As shown, the temple arm members 12 arerelatively thin even with the thicker forward end portions 44 which areapproximately twice as thick as the remainder of the temple arms. Asdiscussed hereinafter, the thicker forward portions 44 are configured tohouse electrical components that are operable to selectively provideelectrical power to the LEDs 18.

More particularly, the temple arm members 12 extend rearwardly from theforward portion 44 to an intermediate portion 34 configured to rest onand be supported by the ears of the wearer. The intermediate portion 34has a bottom edge 33 that tapers up toward the top edge 35 of the templearm members 12 to reduce the height thereof for properly fitting on theears of the wearer. The temple arm members 12 terminate with a distalportion 36 that extends laterally inwardly and downwardly as it extendsrearwardly from the intermediate portion 34 to rearward ends 37 of thetemple arm members 12. So configured, the temple arm members 12generally follow the contour of the wearer's head from adjacent the eyesto a position behind the ears. Alternatively, the distal portions 36need not extend downwardly and the intermediate portion 34 of the templearm members 12 need not rest on a wearer's ears instead gripping on theside of the wearer's head as is known.

As discussed above, the intermediate portion 34 and the distal portion36 are thinner in the lateral direction than the forward portion 44 ofthe temple arm members 12. However, even with the enlarged forwardportion 44, the thickness of the temple arm members 12 are very thinsuch that they have a generally flat configuration akin to temple armmembers commonly provided with traditional non-lighted eyeglasses. Byway of example and not limitation, the lateral thickness of theintermediate and distal portions of the temple arm members 12 can beapproximately 3 mm, and the lateral thickness of the forward portion 44can be approximately 5 mm. Configurations other than generally flatcould also be employed for the temple arm members 12 such as byincluding both flat and curved portions or only curved portions of thetemple arm members 12. For instance, the temple arm members 12 couldalso have a small diameter, cylindrical configuration.

The light sources 18, which may be small LEDs, are preferably mounted tothe forward end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12. By oneapproach, each light source 18 is mounted at least partially within aprojection or tubular portion 38 extending slightly outwardly from outersurface portion 40 of each temple arm member 12. The outer surfaceportion 40 preferably has a flat configuration but for the tubularportion 38 projecting therefrom, with the tubular portion 38 providing apartially outward positioning of the light source 18 relative to theflat outer surface 40 of the temple arm to position the light forforward illumination. At the same time, the projecting tubular portion38 has a small radius of curvature such as on the order of approximately2 mm that substantially conforms to that of the cylindrical portion oflens 42 of the LED 18, which is effective to avoid the size and weightincrease associated with prior lighted eyeglasses having light moduleson their temple arms. Preferably, the tubular portions 38 are formed atthe forward end portions 44 of the temple arm members 12 in the middleregion along the outer surface portion 40 between the upper and loweredges 62 and 64 of the temple arm members 12, as best seen in FIG. 5.

A forward lens 42 of the LED light source 18 is generally aligned withor extends slightly forwardly of the forwardmost end 44 a of each of thetemple arm members 12. In addition, the LED element that generates lightsimilarly is generally aligned with the temple arm member forwardmostend 44 a. By this positioning, no portion of the temple arm member 12interferes with the light cone emitted by the LED 18. Positioning theLED element and lens 42 even with or forwardly of the forward end 44 ofthe temple arm member 12, however, still can undesirably generate glarefrom incident light outside the light cone of the LED 18 since the LEDs18 are still recessed back from the forward portions of the cross-framemember 14, and in particular the lenses 21 thereof. For instance, suchincident light that reaches the lenses 21 may be refracted or reflectedinto the wearer's eyes or the incident light may simply be an annoyanceand distraction to the wearer by being within the wearer's peripheralvision. In the illustrated form, the illuminated eyewear 10 minimizesthese issues by positioning the LEDs 18 adjacent the outer surfaceportions 40 of the temple arm members 12, as discussed above.

As is understood, the LEDs 18, emit a conical beam of light. In thisregard, the light cone 43 generally has the illustrated laterallyoutward opposite side edges 45, 47 that taper away from each other fromthe vertex or the LED element in the LED lens 42 so that the cone 43 hasa predetermined angle or degree of spread a between the opposite edgesthereof. For example, this light cone angle α may be between about 20degrees and about 40 degrees. A light cone center axis or centerline C1extending forwardly from the LED element divides the light cone 43 inhalf with equal angles between the axis C1 and each of the illustrated,opposite light cone edges 45, 47. In order to orient the light sources18 to emit such cones 43 of light to maximize the amount of light in theviewing or reading area forwardly of a wearer (e.g., preferably about 6to 24 inches in front of the wearer), the LEDs 18 can be cantedlaterally inwardly toward each other as shown in FIG. 4 and downwardlyrelative to the temple arm members 12 and the fore-and-aft temple axesL1, as shown in FIG. 5. Referencing FIGS. 3 and 4, the LEDs 18, and moreparticularly the light cones 43 emitted therefrom, are canted laterallyinward so that the center axis C1 of the cones extend transversely tothe temple axis L1, at an angle β1 from the temple axis L1 so that thelight cones intersect closer forwardly of the cross-frame member 14 thanif the cone axes C1 and fore-and-aft temple axes L1 were substantiallycoincident.

More particularly, the tubular portions 38 are configured so that theytaper in the forward direction toward the outer surface portion 40 ofthe temple arm members 12 so that the LEDs 18 mounted therein have thedesired inward cant, as shown in FIG. 4. With the LEDs 18 cantedinwardly, the inner edges 45 of the light cones 43 will intersect eachother at the beginning of the reading or viewing distance of the wearer,such as 6 inches forwardly of the lenses 21, without requiring LEDshaving wider light cones. As shown in FIG. 5, the tubular LED mountingportions 38 can also be configured to extend forwardly and slightlydownwardly with the forward portion 48 slightly lower than the rearwardportion 49 so that the LEDs 18 mounted therein are also oriented toextend forwardly and slightly downwardly with the central axis C1 of thelight cones 43 being canted downwardly at an angle β2 to the templefore-and-aft axis L1. In this manner, the light cones 43 emitted fromthe LEDs 18 are also canted in a downward direction relative to thetemple arm members 12 and the cross-frame member 14.

As previously mentioned and as can be seen in FIG. 3, the LEDs 18 aredisposed adjacent to the end portions 16 of the cross-frame member 14 soas to be recessed rearwardly with respect to the lenses 21 that alsocurve slightly forwardly since they are held by the cross-frame member14 that has a slight forward curvature. As a result of this arrangementand as previously discussed, incident light and glare caused thereby canbe a problem. To avoid this, the eyeglass frame 11 and preferably thefront support thereof can include blinder portions 46 laterally inwardfrom the adjacent light sources or LEDs 18 so that the blinder portions46 are arranged and configured to keep incident light from reaching theeyes of the eyeglass wearer. More specifically, the blinder portions 46each include a blinder surface 46 a that extends forwardly alongside theLEDs 18 transversely to the lateral axis L2. The blinder surfaces 46 acan extend orthogonal to the lateral axis L2. However, thisconfiguration of the blinder surfaces 46 a can interfere with the lightcones 43 emitted by the LEDs 18. In other words, with adjacent blindersurfaces 46 a that extend orthogonal to axis L2 and parallel to thefore-and aft axes L1, the inner edges 45 of the light cones 43 canintersect the blinder surfaces 46 a.

Accordingly, in the illustrated and preferred form, the lightedeyeglasses 10 avoid substantial interference with the light cones 43 byhaving the blinder portion 46 configured so that the blinder surface 46a is inclined to extend at a laterally inward cant obliquely relative tothe lateral axis L2, as will be described further hereinafter. In thismanner, the blinder surfaces 46 a extend in the same general directionas the inner edge 45 of the corresponding light cone 43 so as tominimize interference therewith thus maximizing the amount of light fromthe LEDs 18 that is utilized to illuminate the viewing area for thewearer of the eyeglasses 10.

More particularly, the blinder portions 46 are preferably formed in theouter end portions 16 of the cross-frame member 14 and each have ablinder surface 46 a with a generally semi-frustoconical configuration.In this regard, the semi-frustoconical blinder surfaces 46 a can beconstructed from a reference right cone with the surfaces 46 a truncatedso that the vertex of the reference cone is generally positioned wherethe corresponding LEDs 18 are located when the temple arm members 12 arepivoted to their open position. The truncated reference cone along whichthe blinder surfaces 46 a each extend is generally divided in half sothat the blinder surfaces 46 a open laterally outward and have a bottomnotch opening 55 sized to fit the LEDs 18, and specifically thelaterally inner half of the LED lenses 42, therein when the temple arms12 are pivoted open, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. In this manner, each ofthe LEDs 18 is substantially oriented at the vertex of the referencecones of its adjacent blinder portion 46 when the lighted eyeglasses 10are in their use configuration. As is apparent from the above, theblinder portions 46 are positioned adjacent to the LEDs 18 and generallylaterally inward from the LEDs 18 and extend at a laterally inwardincline generally forwardly from the LEDs 18. So configured, when thetemple arm members 12 are pivoted to the use configuration, the lenses42 of the LEDs 18 are positioned laterally adjacent to the blinderportions 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reference cone along which the blinderportion surfaces 46 a extend has a conical angle or opening angle θ thatis substantially equal to or slightly larger than the light cone αemitted by the light source 18. Additionally, the blinder portionsurface 46 a can be canted in the same manner as the light cones 43 fromLEDs 18 so that the surfaces 46 a generally extend along the laterallyinner edge 45 of the light cones 43 or preferably tapering slightly awaytherefrom so as to generally avoid interfering with or intersecting thelight cones 43. To this end, the central axis C2 of each of thereference cones along which the blinder surfaces 46 a extend issubstantially coincident with the canted central axis C1 of the lightcones of the LEDs 18. In this manner, the amount of light from thepreferred canted LEDs 18 that reaches the viewing area is maximizedwhile incidental light outside the light cones is blocked from reachingthe eyes of the wearer of the lighted eyeglasses 10.

By another approach, the blinder portions 46 could be incorporated inthe temple arm members 12 rather than in the end portions 16 of thecross-frame member 14. In this form, the temple arm members 12 wouldinclude both the light sources 18 and the blinder portions 46.Accordingly, in this approach, the temple arm members 12, andspecifically the blinder portions 46 thereof, would be pivotablyconnected to the cross-frame member 14.

As described earlier, the LEDs 18 can be mounted to the temple armmembers 12, and specifically partially within the tubular portions 38,to project their light cones at the angle β2 downward with respect tothe longitudinal axis L1 of the temple arm members 12. By way of exampleand not limitation, the angle β2 can be in the range of about 2 degreesto about 10 degrees and preferably about 3 degrees to about 5 degreesfrom the longitudinal axis L1 of the temple arm members 12. In addition,the LEDs 18 can also be housed within the temple arm members 12, andspecifically the tubular portions 38, to project their light cones 43 atthe laterally inwardly canted angle β1 relative to the longitudinal axesL1 which can be in the range of about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees andpreferably about 3 degrees to about 5 degrees. Accordingly, in theillustrated and preferred form, the LEDs 18 are canted both inwardly anddownwardly relative to the L1 axis. As such, in the illustrated form,the tubular members 38 are also inclined or canted relative to thetemple arm members 12 and the flat temple outer surface portion 40, aspreviously described. For instance, distal end portion 49 of the tubularportion 38 extends further from the outer surface portion 40 of thetemple arm member 12 with the tubular portion 38 generally beinginclined toward the outer surface portion 40 as the tubular portion 38extends forwardly along the temple arm member 12 to the forward end 48thereof. This configuration generates the inwardly directed cant β1 ofthe light source 18 while also positioning the lens 42 of the LED 18adjacent the blinder portions 46 when the temple arm members 12 are inthe use configuration. The LEDs 18, however, can be canted inward ordownward at different angles to direct the light emitted by the LEDs 18to other areas forwardly of the wearer. If desired, the LEDs 18 may alsobe adjustable so that the cant of the LEDs 18 can be user selected.

Similarly, the blinder portions 46 can be configured to substantiallymatch the orientation of the light cones 43 emitted from the LEDs 18with the lighted eyeglasses 10 in the use configuration. For thispurpose and as previously described, the central axis C2 of thereference cones along which the semi-frustoconical blinder surfaces 46 aextend may also extend at a laterally inward and downward cant similarto the cants β1 and β2 of the light cones 43 of the LEDs 18. For exampleand as illustrated in FIG. 4, central axes C2 of the blinder portions 46is canted approximately the same degree inwardly and/or downwardly asthe central axes C1 of the light cones 43 of the LEDs 18 relative to thetemple arm axes L1 with the temple arm members 12 pivoted to their openconfiguration. In addition, the incline or cant of the laterallyinnermost edge 59 of the semi-frustoconical blinder surface 46 a of theblinder portion 46 is preferably the same as or slightly greater thanthe corresponding laterally innermost edge of the cone of light emittedfrom the LED 18; thus, the blinder portions 46 do not interfere with,constrict, or alter the shape of the light cones emitted by the LEDs 18.By one approach, the conical or opening angle θ of the reference conesfor the blinder portions 46 is about 2 degrees to about 5 degrees widerthan the corresponding angle α of the LED light cones. For example, ifthe cone of light has a conical angle of about 10 degrees to about 40degrees total or about 5 degrees to about 20 degrees on either side ofthe light source centerline C1, then the conical angle θ for the blindersurface 46 a can range from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees oneither side of the axis C2 for a 20 degree light cone up to about 20degrees to about 25 degrees on either side of the axis C2 for a 40degree light cone.

As shown and described above, only the tubular portion 38 projectslaterally beyond the outer surface portion 40 of the temple arm members12. Accordingly, there are no electrical components, access openings,coverings, or the like, mounted to or formed in the outer surfaceportion 40 of the temple arm members 12. Similarly, the cross-framemember 14 has a substantially typical and ordinary eyeglass appearance,except for the inclusion of the blinder portions 46. This configurationprovides the illuminated eyewear 10 with visible surfaces that aresimilar to non-lighted eyeglasses and frames thereof, which creates apleasing aesthetic, while also keeping the light sources 18 from shininginto the eyes of the wearer or being in the peripheral vision of thewearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an electrical system 50 is operable toprovide power to the LEDs 18. In order to preserve the outwardly visibleaesthetics of the illuminated eyewear 10, as described above, thecomponents of the electrical system 50 are either positioned on oraccessible through an inner surface portion 52 of each temple arm member12. Positioning the electrical system components at the inner surfaceportion 52 effectively hides them from view while the illuminatedeyewear 10 is worn. The inner surface portions 52 can have asubstantially flat configuration and are arranged so as to face eachother when the temple arm members 12 are shifted to the openconfiguration. In the illustrated form, the inner surface portion 52includes offset portions 51 and 53 with portion 53 being slightly raisedrelative to adjacent portion 51. The slightly raised portion 53 ispreferably adjacent the cross-frame member 14 so as to correspond to thepreviously described laterally thicker, forward end portions 44 of thetemple arm members 12, but can also be positioned in the intermediateportion 34 or the distal portion 36 of the temple arm member 12.Preferably, the majority of the components of the electrical system 50are disposed between the inner surface portion 52 and the outer surfaceportion 40 of the enlarged end portion 44 of the temple 12. Soconfigured, no components of the electronic assembly 50 are visible onthe outer surface portion 40 of the temple arm members 12, no componentsof the electronic assembly 50 are in the cross-frame member 14, and nocomponents of the electronic assembly 50 span the hinge 30.

In the preferred and illustrated form, a compartment 54 is recessed inthe inner surface raised portion 53 for housing components of theelectrical system 50. The electrical system components can include aswitch 56, a power source 66, and the electrical connections thereof. Asillustrated, the switch 56 is a slide switch for turning the LEDs on andoff; however, other types of switches can be utilized, such as a toggle,a pushbutton, or a touch switch. A rotary switch could also be utilizedwhich could be used to control the power level supplied to the LEDs toprovide a dimmer switch function. As shown in FIG. 8, the switch 56 isconnected to one of the LED contacts or leads 57 and also to a powersource 66.

Preferably, the switch 56 is mounted to the temple inner surface portion52 adjacent to the hinge 30. In particular, the hinge 30 pivotablyconnects a front temple hinge part 58 to an outer or edge cross-framemember hinge part 60 with a pivot pin 61. In order to preserve space andminimize the length of the space taken up by the electrical system 50along the temple arm members 12, the switch 56 is preferably disposed invertical, overlying relation with the temple hinge part 58 of the hinge30. As can be seen in FIGS. 6-8, the switch 56 is positioned above thehinge 30 adjacent the end surface 44 of the temple arm member 12 andadjacent an upper surface 62 of the temple arm member 12. Accordingly,the temple part 58 of the hinge 30 is adjacent a lower surface 64 of thetemple arm member 12. So configured, the switch 56 is positioned to bemanipulated by an index finger of the wearer to control power to thelight sources 18. Alternatively, the switch 56 can be positionedadjacent the lower surface 64 of the temple arm member 12 and the templepart 58 of the hinge 30 can be positioned above the switch 56 andadjacent the upper surface 62 of the temple arm member 12.

The power source compartment 54 is configured to have a narrow width tokeep the lateral thickness of the temple arm members 12, andspecifically the forward end portions 44 to a minimum, as previouslydiscussed. The compartment 54 is formed between the inner surfaceportion 52 and the outer surface portion 40. This narrow widthcompartment 54 enables the temple arm members 12 to maintain arelatively thin shape, which can provide a more comfortable fit on awearer's head than thicker temple arm members. The power sourcecompartment 54 is further positioned adjacent to the temple part 58 ofthe hinge 30 and can be partially recessed into the temple arm member12. In the illustrated form, the compartment 54 includes upstanding wallportions 65, which project away from the offset inner surface portion 51to space the raised inner surface portion 53 therefrom. The wallportions 65 are sized and configured to provide the compartment 54 witha depth sufficient to house a substantially flat battery, such as adisc-shaped coin cell battery 66. Preferably, there are at least a pairof batteries to power the LEDs 18, such as a pair of disc-shaped coincell batteries 66, in a longitudinal and non-overlapping, side-by-siderelation, so that main flat surfaces 66 a, 66 b of the batteries 66 facethe flat inner surface portion 52 and the flat outer surface portion 40of the temple arm members 12. The wall portions 65 include curved wallportions 65 a for forming subcompartments 68 that provide the coin cellbatteries 66 with a snug fit therein. The compartment 54 can further bedivided to include subcompartment 67 sized to partially receive theswitch 56, such as lower components of switch 56 that electricallycouple to the batteries 66 and the LED 18. The switch subcompartment 67has a generally small, square configuration and is adjacent one side ofthe upper portion of the forwardmost battery subcompartment 68. Soconfigured, the power source compartment 54 substantially hides thebatteries 66 and the switch 56 from view when the illuminated eyewear 10is worn.

When the batteries 66 are in the longitudinal side-by-side relationshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the compartment 54 is divided into twosubcompartments or bays 68, each formed by the rim or, curved wallportions 65 and configured to support and laterally enclose a single oneof the coin cell batteries 66. The far or rearwardmost bay 68 includes arecess or well 70 in a substantially flat bottom surface 71 thereofconfigured to snugly fit a contact 72, such as a tab-shaped bladeconnector, coupled to the switch 56. Accordingly, the well 70 preferablyis of a generally rectangular configuration. In addition, the contact 72includes a bent vertical contact wall portion 74 which fits into a gapin one of the curved wall portions 65, as shown in FIG. 8. The contact72 is electrically connected to the switch 56, which as described above,is attached to the contact 57 of the LED 18. Specifically, a wire 76extends from the contact 72 to the switch 56 by being secured within aspace provided between portions of the rim 65 above or below the otherbay 68, preferably depending on the positioning of the switch 56. Thewire 76 can be at least partially covered by an insulating material orjacket along at least a portion of its length. As illustrated, thecontact 72 is configured to contact the cathode of the battery 66. Theother bay 68 may be positioned adjacent to the switch 56 and include arecess 78 in a substantially flat bottom surface 79 thereof configuredto support a second contact 80 of the light source 18. As illustrated,the contact 80 is one of the elongate leads stemming from the lightsource 18 and is received in an elongate narrow or thin recess or well78 to be configured to contact the anode of the other battery 66. Thewells 70 and 78 allow the corresponding contacts 72 and 80 to bereceived in the battery subcompartments while the facing surface of thebatteries 66 is in contact therewith and can rest or be supported by thebottom surfaces 71 and 79 of the subcompartments 68. So configured, thecathode of one battery 66 is coupled to the switch 56, which is coupledto the LED 18, and the anode of the other battery 66 is coupled directlyto the LED 18. This configuration allows the switch 56 to control powerto the LED 18 to turn it on and off. While one specific configuration ofthe contacts 72, 80 and batteries 66 are illustrated, the components mayalso be reversed if so desired.

By one approach, the raised portion 53 of the inner surface portion 52includes a removable cover 82, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, configured tosecurely fit over the compartment 54 to secure the batteries 66 within.The cover 82 may optionally include biased members or springs on aninner surface thereof to apply outward pressure on the batteries 66, sothe batteries 66 are held against the contacts 72, 80. The cover 82 isremovably secured to the compartment 54 by a tongue and groove mechanismsecuring depending sides and the distal end of the cover 82 using edgesor slots provided in the rim 65. Other suitable securing mechanisms canalso be utilized. In the illustrated form, the cover 82 is formed frommetal (as opposed to the preferred plastic of the eyeglasses and templeportions thereof) in order to limit the thickness of the temple armmember 12. If the cover 82 were fabricated of a plastic similar to thetemple arm 12, the cover 82 would have an increased thickness, whichwould detract from the thin configuration of the temple arm members 12.

As illustrated and described, the temple arm members 12 include all thecomponents necessary to illuminate an area forwardly of the wearer,including the LEDs 18 and the electrical system 50 therefor.Accordingly, this configuration allows the cross-frame member 14 to beeasily interchangeable because no electrical components span the pivotconnections and/or the hinge 30 between the temple arm members 12 andthe cross-frame member 14. Similarly, no electrical components areincluded in the cross-frame member 14, avoiding the performance problemsassociated with prior hinge switches. In addition to this, theelectrical system 50 has its components disposed positioned entirely onor recesses in the inner surface portion 52 of each temple arm member12, and the electrical components do not project above the upper surface62 or below the lower surface 64 of the temple arm member 12. Thisconfiguration not only substantially hides the components of theelectrical system 50 from view when the illuminated eyewear 10 is worn,but it also protects the electrical components from damage when thelighted eyeglasses 10 are in the folded, storage configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a detailed view of a modified orlight-concentrating LED 125 is shown that may be employed with thelighted eyeglasses 10. The light-concentrating LED 125 is configured tooptimize the light output therefrom and minimize wasted light.Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the light-concentrating LED125 is configured to reduce the amount of stray light such as light thatcan cause unwanted glare or the like. The light-concentrating LED 125may be any common LED that includes a housing or lens 200 of a typicaltranslucent or transparent housing, a LED chip or diode 202 forillumination, and electrical leads 210, such as an anode and cathodeleads, extending therefrom. However, the light-concentrating LED 125also includes at least one material or coating 212 and, preferably, asecond material or coating 214 on a predetermined portion of the lens200, such as along a portion of an outside surface thereof. Thematerials 212 and 214 are advantageous because they preferably optimizeor concentrate the light output from the light-concentrating LED 125 andminimize stray or otherwise wasted light by providing a modified lightcone 129 that emanates from the light-concentrating LED 125.

The first material 212 may have a reflective surface and is applied to alower portion or an underside of an outer surface of thelight-transmissive lens 200 of the light-concentrating LED 25. Thematerial 212 is designed to optimize and/or concentrate the light outputthat is projected outwardly from the LED lens body 200 in apredetermined direction or light cone. As shown by the modified lightcone 29, the first material 212 concentrates the light emanated from theLED chip 202 in a generally axial direction outwardly from thelight-concentrating LED 25 and also generally upwardly away from thefirst material 212. The first material 212 may be a silver or nickelcoating or a lithium silver plating or nickel lithium planting; however,other reflective coatings are also suitable.

With use of the first material 212, the normal light cone projected fromthe LED is reduced in size by approximately 50 percent, and thus theamount of light in the modified cone 29 is doubled or increased byapproximately 100 percent over the light concentration in a normal lightcone that is twice as large as the cone 129. While the first material212 is illustrated in FIG. 9 on the lower or bottom portion of thelight-concentrating LED 125, it may also be included on other portionsof the light-concentrating LED 125 as desired depending on how the lightfrom the light-concentrating LED 125 needs to be focused or directed.

The second material 214 is a black or other dark colored coating forblocking the light from being emanated in a particular direction and maybe any opaque coating applied to the light-concentrating LED 125. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the second material 214 is preferably applied tothe light-concentrating LED 125 beneath the first material 212 andtherefore, also on a lower portion of the light-concentrating LED 125.Thus, in the illustrated form, the first reflective material 212 isbetween the LED lens 200 and the second material 214. Alternatively, thecoatings 212 and 214 could be applied on the inner surface of the LEDlens with the reflective coating 212 being applied on the underlyingcoating 214 which is applied to the lens surface. As a result, when thelight-concentrating LED 125 is installed on the hat 100 as describedabove, the material 214 minimizes the glare from the LEDs in thewearer's eyes because the second material 214 substantially preventslight from being projected in a downward direction below the brim 116directly in front of the wear's eyes. In this regard, it is preferredthat no matter where the first coating 212 is applied to thelight-concentrating LED 125 to concentrate and direct the light, thesecond material 214 is preferably applied in such a manner that when thelight-concentrating LED 25 is installed on the hat 100, the secondmaterial 212 is in an orientation to block the light that may beemanated from the LED towards the wearer's eyes. In other words, thesecond material 212 will be on the lens 200 so that it is between theLED chip 202 and the eyes of the hat wearer.

While the first and second materials 212 and 214 are illustrated asextending the entire axial length of the LED lens 200, depending on themodified light cone 29 desired, the materials 212 and 214 may also onlyextend a portion of the axial length of the LED lens 200 or extend invarying lengths on the lens 200. Preferably, the materials 212 and 214will extend at least from the electrical connections 210 past the LEDchip 202. Moreover, while the light-concentrating LED 25 has beendescribed with both coatings 212, and 214, the light-concentrating LED25 may also incorporate each coating separately depending on the lightoutput, direction, and/or concentration desired.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9A, the light-concentrating LED 25 mayhave a reflective tape 220 wrapped therearound instead of or incombination with the materials 212 and 214, or just the light blockingmaterial 214. For instance, the tape 220 may be wrapped radially aroundthe light-concentrating LED 25 such that the tape 220 circumscribes thelens 200 and extends axially generally parallel to the electrical leads210 to the LED chip or diode 202. However, the tape 220 may also extenddifferent axial lengths on the light-concentrating LED 25 depending onthe light cone 29 desired. For example, if a more concentrated or narrowlight beam is desired, then the tape 220 may extend axially from theelectrical leads 210 beyond the diode 202 so a more narrow orconcentrated light cone 29 is formed. On the other hand, if a morediffuse or wide beam is desired, then the tape 220 may extend only ashort distance and be axially spaced rearward from the diode 202 so awider light cone 29 is formed. Manifestly, if there is a reflectivelayer only on one side of the tape 220, then the reflective layer on thetape 220 is to be facing inward towards the diode 202 so that thereflective tape 220 will concentrate the light being emanated from thediode 202 and reflect any stray light inwardly into the desired lightcone 29.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-23, another hands-free lighting embodiment isillustrated, which includes lighted eyeglass frames 500. In general, thelighted eyeglass frame 500 described herein includes a light sourcemounted onto a portion of the frame for directing light forwardly of thewearer together with a variety of different options to energize thelight source.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10-13, a light module 518 with alight source or LED 524 is mounted to a collapsible eyeglass frameassembly 500 to form the lighted eyeglasses. The eyeglass frame assembly500 is configured as a typical eyeglass frame assembly having a pair ofspaced temples or arms 502, and a cross-frame member 504 extendingtherebetween and pivotally connected to each of the temples at eitherend thereof. The cross-frame member 504 includes an appropriate bridgestructure intermediate the ends so that the frame 500 may rest on thebridge of an individual's nose (FIG. 12). The temples 502 extendrearwardly from the spaced ends of the cross-frame member 504 and mayalso include a downwardly projecting ear portion 506 so that the end 505of each temple 502 may conform to or extend around an individual's ear(FIG. 10A). Alternatively, the temples may extend generally straightback from the cross-frame member 504 without the ear portion 506 (FIG.15 a). The frame assembly 500 shown in FIGS. 10-13 includes both aretracted position and an extended position.

In the retracted position or state the cross-frame member 504 andtemples 502 are preferably collapsed such that the frame 500 is in amore compact form for ease of storage and protection (FIGS. 10B, 11B,13A, and 13B). As further discussed below, the cross-frame member 504and each temple 502 separately retract to form the compact structure. Inthe retracted state, the cross-frame member 504 and temples 502 aregenerally protected by the light module 518 because, as furtherdescribed below, the cross-frame member 504 and temples 502 arepartially or substantially covered by the light module 518. In otherwords, the arms 502 will generally not project very far if at all beyondthe light modules, and only a small section of the cross-member 504 willbe exposed to extend between the modules 518, as can be seen in FIGS.13A and 13B. Furthermore, in the retracted position, the lighted frameassembly 500 is sufficiently compact to be used as a mini-flashlight. Inthe retracted position, the modules 524 generally form a double-moduleLED flashlight, as shown in FIG. 13B.

The illustrated lighted eyeglasses 500 include the light modules 518mounted to each of the temples 502. The LEDs 524 are configured toprovide illumination forwardly of the eyeglasses 500 within the field ofview of a wearer. To this end, the light module 518 or the LEDs 524 maybe canted inwardly and/or downwardly, such as about 5 degrees, toprovide a light beam that is more focused into a wearer's field-of-view.Canting the LEDs in their respective housings can be done as describedin Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,696, which is incorporated as ifreproduced in its entirety herein. Further, the light beam is providedmore directly in the wearer's field of view by being angled inwardly anddownwardly relative to the frame temples 502. If the light modules 518or LEDs 524 are canted in such a manner, it should not be necessary tomanually pivot or cant the light to direct the illumination.

More specifically, the light module 518 has the LED 524 protrudingtherefrom for emanating light therefrom. The modules 518 are mounted toeach of the temples 502. The module 518 preferably houses the componentsneeded to illuminate the LEDs 524. For instance, the module 518 has aswitch that includes an actuator portion 517 that projects through anelongated slot 519. The actuator portion 517 is designed such that auser's thumb or finger can quickly and easily engage the actuatorportion 517 to push or pull the switch for sliding in either one of twodirections to turn the light module 518 on and off. The elongated slot119 is sized such that the switch actuator can be moved only a presetdistance, thereby enabling the on and off functions to be accomplishedwith a minimum of motion. When the switch is moved to the “on” position,batteries that are internally housed in the light module 518 energizethe LED 524. Similarly, when the switch is moved to the “off” position,the connection between the batteries and the LED 524 is broken and theLED 524 is turned off. In an exemplary form, the module 518 may besimilar to the light modules illustrated and described in the previouslyincorporated '696 patent. As illustrated, the modules 518 may beintegrally formed with the temples 502, but the modules 518 may also beseparately mounted to the temples 502 with fasteners or the like as inthe '696 patent.

As mentioned above, the eyeglass frame 500 includes both retracted andextended states. In this regard, each of the temples 502 may includeinterconnected segments or members 502 a and 502 b that can sliderelative to each other so that the temple 502 may be shifted between aretracted position (FIGS. 10B and 11B) and an extended position (FIGS.10A and 11A). Similarly, the cross-frame member 504 also preferablyincludes interconnected segments or members 504 a, 504 b, 504 c, and 504d that retract and extend in a similar manner (FIGS. 12 and 13). Thesegments of the temples and cross frame member can also telescope toextend and retract with one of the segments having a tubular or c-shapedstructure so that the connected segments can slide in and out therefrom.While the cross-frame member 504 and temple 502 are illustrated withspecific number of segments, more or less segments may also be useddepending on the size and strength of the frames desired.

More specifically, in the retracted condition of the temples 502, thetemple segment 502 b retracts or slides relative to temple segment 502 aeither into a temple receiving compartment in the module 518 oralongside the module 518 at an outer surface thereof so that at least aportion of each of the temple segments are super-imposed over each otherand overlap the module 518. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, in the retractedcondition, the ear portion 506 extends beyond the module 518. However,the projecting ear portion 506 is much smaller than the fully extendedtemple arm 502. The extent to which the temple arm 502 projects beyondthe module when the arm is retracted may vary depending on the size andangle of ear portion 506 as it is not uncommon for the configuration ofthe ear portion 506 to vary based on the comfort needs of the individualwearer. Alternatively, if the temples 502 do not have a speciallycontoured ear portion 506, but a straight temple portion, thensubstantially the entire temple 502 may overlap the module 518 whenretracted. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, if the templeportion 502 is generally straight, then the temple segments 502 a and502 b may retract into a position such that each segment 502 a and 502 bsubstantially overlaps each other and the module 518 but for a smallprojecting end section 505 of the temple. In this configuration,substantially the entire temple 502 is protected from damage in theretracted state by the module 518 because the temple 502 is retractedinto or alongside the module 518. The larger width size of the module518 transverse to the length of the temple arm 502 protects theelongate, thin temple portion 502.

In the extended state of the temples 502, each of the segments 502 a and502 b are extended outwardly from the module 518 so as to formtraditional temples of common eyeglasses (FIGS. 10A, 11A, and 12). Asillustrated in FIG. 11C, the temple segments 502 a and 502 b may includea releasable locking structure 508 therebetween such that the extendedtemple segments may be held in their extended and retracted positions.That is, the locking structure 508 may include, for example, a retainingsleeve member 508 a through which the temple segments 502 a and 502 bextend, a boss or other protrusion 508 b on an end of one of the templesegments and a corresponding detent or groove 508 c on an adjacent endof the other temple segment that engage and register so that theprotrusion 508 b seats in the groove 508 c upon the segments reaching apredetermined, extended position relative to each other to releasablyhold the temple segments in the extended state. The locking structure508 may also include stop members 508 d on ends of each segment thatinterfere with the retaining member 508 a to avoid having the templearms separate from each other. In addition, the end 505 of the templearm 502 b may also include a detent 508 c to engage the protrusion 508 bwhen the temple arm 502 b is retracted. Manifestly, the locations of theprotrusions 508 b and detent grooves 508 c can be reversed, or a pair ofprotrusions 508 b can be provided on one of the arm segments with asingle groove 508 c formed in the other arm segment.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B, as mentioned above, thecross-frame member 504 may also include a retracted and extendedposition. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the frame 500 is shown in theextended position resembling a traditional eyeglass frame. FIGS. 13A and13B illustrate the cross-frame member 504 and temple arms 502 of theframe 500 in the retracted position with FIG. 13A showing the retractedtemple arms 502 having arcuate ear portions 506 (FIG. 10B) and FIG. 13Bshowing the retracted, straight temple arms 502 (FIG. 11B).

To achieve the retracted position of the cross-frame member 504, a userslides the outer segments 504 a and 504 d of the cross-frame member 504inwardly toward each other such that the temples 502 and the attached orintegrated modules 518 are moved laterally toward each other. It can beappreciated that the cross-member frame 504 can be retracted with thetemples 502 either in the retracted or in the extended positions. Inorder to retract and extend, the cross-frame member 504 also includesconnected segments or members 504 a, 504 b, 504 c, and 504 d. A userslides the segments inwardly such that segment 504 a and 504 b overlapto retract one side of the frame 500 and the segments 504 c and 504 doverlap to retract the other side of the frame 500.

The cross-frame member 504 is extended in a reverse manner by sliding orextending the segments 504 a and 504 d outwardly. As with the temples502, the cross-frame member 504 preferably includes a similar lockingstructure 508 so that the cross-frame member 504 can be releasably heldin either the refracted or extended positions.

When both the cross-frame member 504 and each temple 502 are retracted,the frame 500 is significantly more compact than the traditionaleyeglass frame as best shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Preferably, the fullyretracted frame 500 is about as wide as the depth of two modules 518 andabout as long as each module 518. As previously stated, a small section505 of the ear portion 506 may extend beyond the modules 518 in theretracted state so that, if the temple arm is retracted into the lighthousing 518, the projecting section 505 allows the user to pull thetemple arm out of the housing back to its extended position. In thiscompact state, the frame 500 is easily placed in a pocket, bag, or purseuntil hands-free lighting is needed. The frame 500 may be expanded to beused as hands free lighting as previously described or used in thecompact condition as a compact hand-held flashlight. Moreover, in thiscompact state, the frame 500 is protected from damage as the frame doesnot have elongate members that are easily bent or broken. As previouslydescribed, when the frame 500 is in the retracted state, the cross-framemember 504 and temple arms 502 are slid either into or alongside thelight module 518. Therefore, in this state, the larger module 518protects the more narrow frame portions 502 and 504 from being damagedwhen in a pocket or purse, for instance.

The eyeglass frame 500 may also include lenses similar to traditionalglasses. For example, the frame 500 may include reading lenses,prescription lenses, protective or safety lenses, magnifying lenses,clear or non-refractive lenses, or the like. If included, the lenseswould generally depend from the cross-member frame 504 or thecross-frame member 504 could also include portions that encircle thelenses. The lenses may have a pivot connection to the frame where thecross-frame member 504 and the temple arms 502 are pivotally connected.In this manner, the edge of the lenses opposite the pivot connection(i.e., near the bridge) may pivot inwardly from the cross-frame member504 to the temple arms 502 to facilitate the retraction of thecross-frame member 504. On the other hand, a top edge of the lenses maybe pivotally mounted to the cross-frame member 504 so that when theframe is in a retracted condition, the lenses may be pivoted up to theretracted frame structure. In such configurations, the frame 500, evenwith optional lenses, may be retracted into a compact form.Alternatively, the eyeglass frame 500 may be devoid of such lenses sothat the frame 500 is configured simply to provide a form of headgearthat provides for hands-free lighting.

Referring to FIGS. 14-21, various alternative temple portions 602 areillustrated for the frame assembly 500. Herein, these alternative templeportions generally do not retract, but have different configurations andcan include rechargeable batteries 600 and recharging contacts 603. Asshown, the recharging contacts 603 include a positive contact 603 a anda negative contact 603 b, which may be in separate temple portions 602(FIG. 22) or both in the same temple portion 602 (FIG. 21). The chargingcontacts 603 are for being electrically connected to correspondingcontacts 654 of a separate battery charger.

The temple portions 602 include a light source 604, preferably an LED,housed within an opening or hollowed portion of the temple frame 610 andwhich protrude axially outward from the forward end 602 a of the templeframe such that a light beam would be directed forwardly of the wearer,as previously described. The lights 604 may also be angled or cantedinwardly or downwardly to provide a light beam more directly in thewearer's field of view. For example, the LED may tilt down about 5degrees. The alternative temples 602 illustrated in FIGS. 14-21generally can provide a more compact illumination device when worn thanpreviously described with the light module 518 because the components toenergize the light 604 are contained or integrated into the templeportions 602 rather than being within a separate module 518.

More specifically, FIGS. 14-15 illustrate two batteries 600 spacedlongitudinally in the fore and aft direction that are housed internallyin a forward portion 602 b of the temple 602 adjacent pivot member 606.To contain the batteries, the forward portion 602 b of the temple arm isenlarged in a direction transverse to its length and to the cross-framemember 504 with the lighted frames in their unfolded configuration foruse. The forward portion 602 b has a tapered configuration along itslength. Also, the forward portion 602 b is thicker than the narrowerremainder or rear portion 602 d of the temple arm with a shoulder 602 cprovided therebetween. The batteries 600 are in electrical communicationwith the recharging contact 603 at a distal end 605 of an ear portion608 of the temple arm 602. As will be further described below, therecharging contacts 603 cooperate with contacts 654 of a separatebattery charging module or unit 650. FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate asimilar battery arrangement, but show a temple 602 having a modifiedcontour to house the longitudinally spaced batteries 600. Rather than asmooth taper, the forward portion of the arm has a rectangularconfiguration for receiving the batteries 600 therein.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an overlapping battery configuration wherethe batteries 600 are stacked in a side-by-side arrangement. In thisarrangement, the temple frame or housing 610 need not be as long in thelongitudinal direction as with the previous temple arms, but is wider orthicker in the lateral direction transverse to the fore and aftlongitudinal direction to accommodate the stacked batteries 600.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate another modified temple 602 that houses thebatteries 600 within the rear ear portion 606, preferably in alongitudinally spaced arrangement to keep the width or thickness of theear portion to a minimum. In this embodiment, the batteries 600 areclosely positioned to the recharging contacts 603 to keep the length ofthe electrical connections therebetween to a minimum. Herein, thepositive charging contact 603 a and negative charging contact 603 b areboth disposed at the distal end 605 of the same temple portion 602. Suchcombined configuration allows a more compact battery charger becauseonly one temple 602 is required to connect to the battery charger.

Referring to FIG. 22, the eyeglass frame 500 is illustrated with themodified temple portions 602 being connected to a stand-alone batterycharger 650 with the positive contact 603 a and negative contact 603 bshown in separate temple arms 602. To charge the batteries 600 in thebattery charger 650, the temple arms 602 are preferably pivoted inwardlytoward the cross-frame member to fold the frame 500 into a retractedcondition, the distal ends 605 of each temple arm 602 are then connectedto a receiving base member 652, which may be included on a stand alonecharger. Alternatively, the receiving base member 652 may be integratedwithin an eyeglass frame case. The battery charger 650 is plugged into a110 volt wall outlet. The base member 652 has recharging contacts 654that correspond with the recharging contacts 603 on the eyeglass frametemples 602, but have an opposite polarity. Therefore, when inserted inthe battery charger 650, the batteries 600 are in electricalcommunication with a power source such that the batteries 600 maycharged. Alternatively, the battery charger 650 may be configured toaccept the eyeglass frame 500 with the temple arms 602 in an unfoldedposition, or may have a more compact configuration as previouslymentioned, such as when only one temple arm 602 has both chargingcontacts 603 a and 603 b thereon.

Referring to FIG. 23, a modified placement of the rechargeable batteries600 is illustrated on an alternative frame 500. In this embodiment, apower module or battery pack 750 is connected or attached to a lanyard772 that is joined to the distal ends 705 of more traditional templearms 702 (i.e., without included batteries). The lanyard 772 is aflexible member that joins each distal end 705 of the temple arms 702and also functions a retaining member to hold the frames 500 around awearer's neck when not in use. Generally, the lanyard 772 will be drapedabout the wearer's neck and upper back. The alternative frame 500 inFIG. 27 also includes lights 704, either in the frame as shown or in aseparate module, that are in electrical communication with the batterypack 750 through the lanyard 772 and temple arms 702. In this regard,the temple arms 702 and lanyard 772 can have a hollow configuration toallow for electrical leads to be run through each.

The battery pack or module 750 houses the rechargeable batteries 600 andreleasably mounts into a receiving port 774 attached to the lanyard 772.Generally, the port 774 may be centrally located between the ends ofeach temple portion 705 on the lanyard 772 because such an intermediateposition along the length of the lanyard 772 provides balance to thelanyard 772 when worn. Therefore, in such central location, the pack ormodule 750 would comfortably rest on the back of a wearer as the lanyard772 hangs down onto the shoulders and back during use. However, otherlocations on the lanyard are also acceptable. The receiving port 774includes contacts 774 a and 774 b that, when the battery pack or module750 is snugly and captively received in the port 774, are in electricalcommunication with the contacts 603 a and 603 b on the battery pack ormodule 750 to provided electrical power from the batteries to the lights704.

To recharge the batteries 600, the pack or module 750 may be removedfrom the port 774 and plugged into a separate battery charger or powersource (not shown). In this regard, the positive and negative contacts603 a and 603 b mate with similar contacts in the battery charger.Alternatively, the batteries 600 of the pack or module 750 may becharged while still mounted to the port 774 such as by the provision ofseparate recharging contacts (not shown).

Housing the batteries 600 in the pack or module 750 that is electricallyjoined to the frame 500 through the lanyard 772 is advantageous in thatthe batteries 600 are contained in a separate member, such as the powermodule 750, that does not affect the contour of the temple arms 702.Accordingly, the temple arm 702 may be a more traditional, straighttemple portion rather than the temple arms 602 contoured to contact thebatteries 600 as shown in FIGS. 14-21 as generally only the electricalwiring is included therein.

Referring to FIGS. 24-27, and an alternative LED assembly 3010 isillustrated that includes an LED 3012 and a covering 3014. The LED 3012includes a lens 3016 and two spaced electrical leads 3018 a and 3018 b.The lens 3016 is formed from a molded plastic with a generallycylindrical portion 3016 a and a dome portion 3016 b extending about adistal end of the lens 3016. Within the cylindrical portion 3016 a, theLED includes a diode, illumination chip, or other light source 3016 c.The covering 3014 includes a first portion 3014 a surrounding at least aportion of the lens 3016 and a second portion 3014 b surrounding atleast a portion of the leads 3018 a and 3018 b. With such configuration,the covering 3014 provides support to the LED leads and, preferably,modifies the light beam generated by the LED 3012.

More specifically, the first covering portion 3014 a extends around aportion of the LED lens 3016, such as the lens cylindrical portion 3016a and therefore, allows the LED 3012 to function similar to thepreviously described light concentrating LED 25 (FIGS. 9 and 9A) tofocus or minimize stray light emissions. That is, the covering 3014 aextends around the cylindrical portion 3016 a a predetermined axiallength beyond the light chip 3016 d in order to concentrate the lightcone formed or minimize stray light emissions. Depending on the degreeof light concentration desired, the covering portion 3014 a may extendmore or less axial length beyond the light chip 3016 d. In one form, thecovering portion 3014 a generally extends about 3/16 to about ¼ of aninch along the lens cylindrical portion 3016 a.

The second covering portion 3014 b extends around the LED leads 3018 aand 3018 b and provides support and strength thereto. Preferably, thesecond covering portion extends about 3/16 to about ¼ of an inch alongthe leads; however, other lengths are suitable depending on the size ofthe covering and LED and the desired amount of support and strengthneeded on the LED. The second covering portion 3014 b minimizes strainon the leads 3018 a and 3018 b, and particularly, minimizes strain at aninterface 3020 between the leads 3018 a, 3018 b and the lens 3016. Thesecond covering portion 3014 b, therefore, renders it more difficult tobend, warp, or otherwise damage a single lead 3018 a or 3018 b at theinterface 3020 because the second covering portion 3014 b combines eachlead 3018 a and 3018 b together in a more rigid cooperating assembly.The photovoltaic cell can be used to power other electrical deviceswhich can include radios, MP3 players such as iPods, and telephones.

The covering 3014 is preferably a material that can be wrapped tightlyaround the LED 3012 as illustrated in FIGS. 25-27. For example, apreferred material for the covering 3014 is a tube of bi-axiallyoriented PVC that can be tightly wrapped around the LED portions byshrink wrapping the covering 3014 using heat. However, other materialscapable of being tightly wrapped around the LED by shrink wrapping orother mechanisms using heat or other stimulus are also acceptable forthe covering 3014.

As shown in FIGS. 28-37 for purposes of illustration, an embodiment oflighted reading glasses 1005 is disclosed which enables a user wearingthe glasses 1005 as shown in FIG. 28 to clearly read conventionallysized printed text 1000, e.g. ten or twelve point font, held in a rangeof distances suitable for reading such text sizes where the reading isoccurring in poorly or dimly lit areas. In this regard, the presentlighted reading glasses 1005 are ideally suited for use in areas thatnormally require a user to turn on a light before reading can occur butwhere doing so is less than desirable, such as in a car or when readingin bed with another present who is trying to sleep while you read.

The lighted glasses 1005 which as stated above are preferably readingglasses 1005 will include lenses 1012 of light transmissive materialconfigured to refract light to correct for defects in vision due toerrors of refraction in the human eye and thus, at least one of the lenssurfaces 1014 will be curved to precisely correct for the defect beingaddressed in a particular individual that wishes to use the lightedreading glasses 1005 herein. A variety of lens types may be utilizedincluding concave, convex, plano-convex, cylindrical, compound lensesand/or bi, tri, or tetrofocal lenses, although the reading glasses 1005are preferably adapted for use by those who are farsighted so thatconvexly configured lenses 1012 will typically be employed. Further,although the reading glasses 1005 can be provided with prescriptionlenses 1012, from a cost standpoint the lighted glasses 1005 arepreferred for use with lower cost magnifier lenses 1012 that have awell-defined diopter rating. In this regard, the lenses 1012 can beoffered with nine different diopter ratings from 1.00 up to 3.00 inintervals of 0.25 therebetween. Alternatively, the lenses 1012 can benon-refractive for people who do not need vision correction but stillwant to read in the dark via the lighting provided by the glasses 1005herein.

With the reading glasses 1005 on, the user will be able to read in darkor dimly lit areas via lights 1016 that are on the glasses 1005 attachedby way of respective light mounts 1018 therefor. The light mounts 1018fix the predetermined lighted areas 1020 to be oriented so that theyoverlap and create an overlapping lighted area 1022 which has double theamount of light and thus significantly increased brightness over thatprovided by a single one of the lights 1016. As best shown in FIG. 37,the overlapping lighted area 1022 is disposed in the predeterminedreading distance range generally designated 1024 by the directionafforded to the lights 1016 via their light mounts 1018. This range fora normal functioning eye or using an appropriate corrective lens forthose requiring vision correction for reading ten or twelve point fontwith a sufficiently large or wide field of view will be approximatelyten to eighteen inches in front of the lenses 1012.

The lights 1016 are preferably high intensity lights or LEDs 1108 thatform their lighted areas 1020 as narrow light beams in the shape ofrespective cones 1136 and 1138 of light directed inwardly toward eachother, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 37. In this manner, the point ofintersection 1048 will be closely adjacent or substantially coincidentwith the start of the reading distance range 1024 and the overlappingarea 1022 will likewise take on a conical shape 1140 and be maximized insize in the range 1024. There is also a proximate conical area 1025right in front of the glasses 1005 that does not receive light. However,this unlighted area 1025 is of little consequence as it substantiallyfalls before the start of the reading distance range 1024.

By canting the light beams 1136 and 1138 inwardly, little light iswasted on areas that are outside the effective field of view, generallydesignated 1026, of the glasses 1005. Further, the conical overlap area1140 that receives double the amount of light increases in size withincreasing distances from the lenses 1012. By contrast, the peripheralareas 1031 and 1033 on either side of the double-lit overlap area 1140become smaller with increasing distance from the lenses 1012. Sincelight dissipation can become an issue as distances increase from thelight source, the increasing size of the double-lit area 1022 incomparison to the decreasing size of the single-lit areas 1031 and 1033provides a significant advantage in having a very well-lit reading areawith an efficient use of the light generated by the LEDs 1108 herein.Further, the fixed canting of the beams 1136 and 1138 allows a user toput on the glasses 1005 and know that they will be able to begin readingeven in dimly-lit areas by simply turning on the lights 1016 withoutrequiring that they be adjusted for focusing them on the material to beread.

The light mounts 1018 are preferable compactly sized housings 1109 forcontaining the high intensity LEDs 1108 and at least one, and preferablytwo, small disc-shaped battery power supplies 1116 in a space savingsmanner therein. The housings 1109 can be constructed of two halves orcover members 1106 and 1107 each with mounting surfaces generallydesignated 1030 and 1032 configured to orient the LED dome lens 1034 inforward opening 1036 of the housing 1109 such that the light beam cones1136, 1138 emanate in the desired inward direction. As best seen inFIGS. 34, 35 and 36, the surfaces 1030 and 1032 can be formed integrallywith their respective housing portions 1106 and 1107 such as on raisedribs 1038 and 1040. As shown, the surfaces 1030 and 1032 are eachinclined to extend in the same direction relative to longitudinal axis1042 of the housing 1109 such that they extend transversely and at anoblique angle thereto. In this manner, when the housing portions 1106and 1107 are attached, the ribs 1038 and 1040 cooperate to capture theLED dome lens 1034 in a canted orientation thereof relative to housingaxis 1042. Accordingly, with the LEDs 1108 switched on, the axis 1044extending centrally through or bisecting the light beam cones 1136 and1138 will generally extend parallel to the housing mounting surfaces1030 and 1032 and at an oblique angle to the axis 1042.

In the preferred and illustrated form, the eyeglasses 1005 includingtemple arms 1104 are constructed such that with the arms 1104 opened,their forward end portions 1104 a will extend substantially normal tothe general plane of the eyeglass lenses 1012 and to any frame portionsthat may be included thereabout. Further, the housings 1109 areconstructed so that when attached flush to the arm forward end portion1104 a as shown in FIG. 30, the housing axis 1042 will extend parallelto the forward end portion 1104 a and straight forwardly from theglasses 1005. With the preferred solid state material for the LEDs 1108as described hererinafter, they will generate a narrow light beam cone1136, 1138 of twenty degrees. For this narrow cone 1136, 1138, theoblique inward cant angle 1046 (FIG. 36) is preferably approximatelyfifteen degrees so that the point 1048 of intersection where the overlaplighted area 1022 begins is centrally disposed between the lenses 1012and spaced forwardly therefrom approximately at the start of the readingdistance range 1024. This inward canting of the light beam cones 1136and 1138 also minimizes the amount of light that is projected to lateralareas outside the field of view 1026 forwardly of the glasses 1005.

The LEDs 1108 are preferably high-intensity white LED, such asmanufactured by Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc., of Hackensack, N.J., partnumber CMD333UWC-ND. Similar types of LEDs are available from a varietyof manufacturers and such LEDs would also be acceptable for use in thelight module 1105. A particular advantage of using the describedhigh-intensity LEDs is the ability of the LEDs to provide large amountsof bright light while consuming significantly less power thanincandescent light sources and fiber optic devices. In particular, theLED 1108 provides a typical 2300 mcd light output using only 20 mA ofpower. This allows for significantly extended battery life usinginexpensive and lightweight batteries. A further advantage of this typeof LED is the relatively narrow viewing angle of approximately 20degrees. This allows the light output to be directed in a very precisemanner, making it ideally suited for use in the present invention.Referring in particular to FIG. 30, it can be seen that the angle of theLED 1108 causes the cone of light to be emitted at a specific angle sothat the light is directed slightly inward toward the portion being readand thereby avoiding scattering of light outwards and particularlyoutside the field of view of the glasses 1005.

Turning now to FIG. 31, the light module 1105 is shown in isolation fromthe eyeglasses. As can be seen in greater detail, the light module 1105houses a switch 1114 having an actuator projecting portion 1110. Theprojecting portion 1110 is designed such that a user's thumb or fingercan quickly and easily engage the projecting portion 1110 to push theswitch 1114 for sliding in either one of two directions to turn thelight module off and on. The elongated slot 1112 is sized such that theswitch 1114 can be moved only a preset distance, thereby enabling the onand off functions to be accomplished with a minimum of motion. When theswitch 1114 is moved to the “on” position, a set of batteries 1116energize the LED 1108. Similarly, when the switch 1114 is moved to the“off” position, the connection between the batteries 1116 and the LED1108 is broken and the LED 1108 is turned off. Manifestly, the switch1114 need not be a slide switch but can take on other forms such as apush-button switch.

Referring to FIG. 32, an exploded perspective view of the light module1105 is shown. The light module 1105 comprises a housing 1109 (FIG. 31)that is preferably constructed of a lightweight material, such asplastic, to provide the greatest amount of comfort to the wearer, whilestill being a cost-effective product. The housing 1109 includes a firstcover member 1106 and a second cover member 1107. The second covermember 1107 is formed with a main flat wall 1107 a from which upstandingwalls 1107 b extend from the periphery thereof to form an interior space1107 c in which the switch 1114, the batteries 1116 and the LED 1108 aredisposed. The fastening devices 1124, which may be self tapping screwsamong others, are used to fasten the first cover member 1106 as a lidonto the second cover member 1107.

The first cover member 1106 is formed with an elongated slot 1112 cutout of the main flat wall 1106 a, several integral projecting bosses1120 that can be internally threaded for receiving fastening members orscrews 1124 and an integral LED positioning member or raised rib 1040.The LED positioning member 1040 extends toward the cover 1107 and has aconcave surface 1032 that cooperates with curved surface 1030 of thecover member 1107 for capturing the LED dome lens 1034 at the desiredangle 1046 to axis 1042 (FIG. 36). As described above, the elongatedslot 1112 is designed to receive the projecting portion 1110 of a switch1114 such that the projecting portion 1110 extends slightly outside thefirst cover member 1106 and is accessible by a user's finger or thumb.The cover member 1106 also is formed having a slot 1119 (FIG. 35) toform a housing for the switch 1114 when the light module is fullyassembled.

The LED 1108 includes anode 1111 and cathode 1115 leads that are used toenergize the LED 1108. In addition, the anode 1111 and cathode 1115leads are physically configured to also enable the LED 1108 to besecurely held in position within the light module 1105. The cathode 1115lead, which is generally the shorter of the two leads, is trimmedfurther to a size suitable for engaging an aperture 1113 in a lead guideassembly or box shaped member 1130. The trimmed cathode 1115 lead isbent into a curved hook configuration to behave as a resilient springclip when mounted into the light module 1105; and the anode lead is leftin its original form and engages a second aperture in the box shapedmember 1130, which enables the anode 1111 lead to extend into the openportion of the second cover member 1107, as further discussed below.

The second cover member 1107 includes a LED positioning member or rib1038 having curved surface 1030 formed thereon for cooperating withsurface 1032 to capture the LED dome lens 1034, as previously described.A lead guide assembly 1130 is disposed within cover member 1107. Theguide assembly 1130 channels or guides the anode 1111 lead and thecathode 1115 lead into their respective appropriate positions forconducting and switching functions. The guide assembly 1130 includes anextending sidewall 1131 and an extending support structure 1132. Thesupport structure 1132 includes a block 1135 oriented between theaperture 1113 and indent 1134. When the LED 1108 is placed into positionin the guide assembly 1130, the anode 1111 lead is placed into thechannel between the extending sidewall 1131 and extending supportstructure 1132. A large portion of the anode 1111 lead extends beyondthe sidewall 1131 and into the cover member 1107 opening. The cathode1115 lead, which is in a bent hook configuration is placed into thesupport structure 1132 such that the portion of the cathode that isconnected to the LED 1108 is situated in the indent 1134 and the hookedportion engages the aperture 1113. The block 1135 forces part of thecathode 1115 lead to extend beyond the support structure 1132 to enablecontact between the batteries 1116 and the cathode 1115 via the switch1114.

The second cover member 1107 also includes several apertures 1222 forreceiving the fastening devices 1124. The fastening devices 1124 areinserted into apertures 1122 and engage the fastening receiving members1120 of cover member 1106. The apertures 1122 in the second cover member1107 are preferably countersunk such that the heads of the fasteningdevices 1124 sit flush with the surface of the second cover member 1107.Furthermore, by providing a standard phillips or slot headed fasteningdevice, a user is able to gain access to the interior of the lightmodule using a simply, commonly found household screwdriver. Onceinside, the user self-services the light module 1105 and, in particular,replaces the batteries 1116 when they are exhausted.

The batteries 1116, because of the low power consumption of thehigh-intensity LEDs 1108, may be any commonly found small form factorbatteries, such as three volt coin cells manufactured by PanasonicCorporation of Japan, part no. P189D. To this end, the disc-shapedbatteries preferably have a diameter of slightly greater thanthree-fourths of an inch and a width of approximately one-eighth of aninch so that two batteries 1116 can be stacked in a compact fashion.Accordingly, with the small LED 1108 and the small and thin batteries1116, the housings 1109 can be constructed in a very compact fashion. Byway of example and not limitation, the main housing walls 1106 a and1107 a have a maximum width of less than approximately one-inch. Sinceneither the batteries 1116 nor the LED 1108 is particularly long, andthe stroke of the switch 1110 in minimized as previously described, thelength of the housing 1109 can be minimized to be on the order ofapproximately one and one-half inches. Finally, since the batteries 1116are so thin, the depth of the housing 1109 can be sized to be slightlygreater than the thickness of the two stacked disc batteries 1116 orless than approximately one-half inch.

When assembled, the batteries 1116 make contact with the anode orelongated portion 1111 of the LED 1108. The batteries 1116 are stackedtogether such that the negative terminal of the first battery is anelectrical contact with the positive terminal of the second battery. Thepositive terminal of the first battery 1116 is then placed in electricalcontact with the elongated portion 1111 of the LED 1108. The switch 1114which is constructed of an electrically conductive lightweight metalstrip rests solely on the negative terminal of the second battery whenthe light module is not producing light, resulting in an open circuit.When the switch 1114 is placed in its “on” position, an electricalconnection is created between the negative terminal of the battery 1116and the depending hooked portion 1115 of the LED 1108. Thus the circuitfrom the positive terminal of the battery 1116 to the LED 1108 iscompleted using the switch 1114, and the LED 1108 illuminates. Theprojecting portion 1110 may be integrally formed as part of the metalstrip or may be a plastic or metal projection that is fastened at anappropriate position in the body of the switch 1114. The body of theswitch 1114 is constructed such that the metal strip includes one ormore inclines formed by bends in the metal strip of the switch. Theinclines are sized to cause the switch 1114 to fit relatively tightlybetween the battery and the housing much like a spring, thereby enablingthe switch to maintain its on or off position into which it has beenplaced.

Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, the light module is shown in its assembledform. The LED positioning member 1040 of the cover member 1106 pressesagainst the body of the LED 1108 and pushed the LED 1108 into a cantedposition within the housing 1109. A particular advantage in such aconfiguration is that the LED is able to project light at a precisepre-determined angle. Referring in particular to FIG. 36, it can beclearly seen that the base 1108 a of the LED 1108 helps to hold the LED1108 in place within the housing 1109. Furthermore, it also clearly canbe seen that the LED positioning member 1040 is angled to a degree suchthat the top of the LED 1108 is pushed against the second cover member1107 and particularly the positioning rib 1038 thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 37, the eyeglasses 1101 having the light modules1105 mounted thereon are shown in operation. The canted positioning ofthe LEDs 1108 (FIG. 36) in each of the light modules 1105 cooperate tocreate an overlapping zone 1140 of their respective cones of light 1136,1138 in the desired reading range. In particular, because of the twentydegree cones of light 1136, 1138 of the LEDs 1108, and their precisecant within the housing 1109, the overlap area 1140 occurs within arange of distances that is ideally suited for reading after the use ofcorrective lenses in the eyeglasses for those in need of visioncorrection. As a result, the incidence of stray light is reduced and theamount of light illuminating the reading surface is maximized, aspreviously described. The eyeglasses themselves may be of anyconfiguration. For example, the lenses of the eyeglasses may or may nothave frames surrounding the exterior edges of the lenses. Furthermore,the eyeglasses may have bridges for interconnecting the inner portionsof the lenses for interconnecting the inner portions of the lens frames,depending on whether the eyeglasses have frames.

Referring now to FIGS. 38 and 39, a light module is shown having anintegrally formed blinder extension to eliminate glare. An advantage ofsuch a light module is that reducing glare also reduces eye-fatigue thata wearer may suffer when wearing eyeglasses with the light modules forextended periods of use. Although both types of light modules workequally well, individuals with sensitive eyes may prefer the lightmodule with the blinder extensions. By way of example only, and toillustrate the difference between the two light modules, eyeglasses areshown mounted with a first light module 1150 with an integrally formedblinder extension 1154 on one temple area of the eyeglasses and a secondlight module 1105 (as generally described above) mounted on the othertemple area of the eyeglasses.

Lighted eyeglasses having the light module 1105, mounted in the mannerdescribed above may, in certain instances, create glare that isperceivable by the wearer. As shown, stray or incident light rays 1170that are emitted by the LED 1108 may project towards the lens 1156 ofthe pair of eyeglasses 1158. The rays 1170 are then reflected orrefracted by the lenses 1156 into the eyes of the wearer. In contrast,the glare reducing light module 1152 includes an integral projectingportion or blinder extension 1154 for reducing potential glare that maybe generated as a result of the light 1168 emitted by the LED 1108 as itis reflected or refracted off the lenses 1156 in the glasses 1158. Thelight module 1150 is comprised of a housing 1162 that includes a firstcover member 1164 and a second cover member 1166. The second covermember 1166 includes the blinder extension 1154, which is situatedbetween the LED dome and the lens 1156 when the light module is mountedto eyeglasses. The blinder extension 1154 is configured such that itextends outwards in the direction of the LED 1108 and is optimally sizedsuch that the blinder extension 1154 blocks the incident rays of lightwithout distracting the wearer or interfering with the light projectedfor illuminating a reading surface.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials,and arrangements of the, parts and components that have been describedand illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may bemade by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

1. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongate temple arms eachhaving forward and rearward end portions; inner and outer surfaceportions of each temple arm having a substantially flat configurationand extending lengthwise along the temple arms; a front supportincluding a bridge portion extending laterally between the forward endportions of the temple arms with the temple arms and bridge portionadapted to be supported on a user's ears and nose, respectively; a pivotconnection between each of the forward end portions of the temple armsand the front support for pivoting of the temple arms relative thereto;a light source mounted to each temple arm to project forwardly from theforward end portion thereof; a plurality of disc-shaped batteries forproviding power to the light sources; and a narrow battery compartmentof each temple arm laterally between the respective substantially flatinner and outer surface portions thereof, the narrow battery compartmenthaving a thin lateral width between the substantially flat temple arminner and outer surface portions sized so that a pair of the discbatteries are received in a non-overlapping arrangement in eachcompartment with main surfaces of the batteries facing the substantiallyflat inner and outer surface portions of the respective temple arms. 2.The illuminated eyewear of claim 1 wherein the temple arms have upperand lower surfaces that extend along the inner and outer surfaceportions and which define a temple arm height therebetween that islarger along the battery compartment than the thin lateral widththereof.
 3. The illuminated eyewear of claim 2 wherein the temple armheight is substantially constant along the battery compartment.
 4. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 2 wherein the disc-shaped batteries have adiameter, and the batteries are received in each of the batterycompartments to be spaced in a lengthwise direction along the templearms with the upper and lower surfaces of the temple arms extendingclosely above and below the batteries to keep the temple arm height to aminimum relative to the battery diameter.
 5. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 1 wherein the inner surface portion has offset portions so thatthe temple arms each include a raised portion in which the batterycompartment is disposed.
 6. The illuminated eyewear of claim 5 whereinthe raised portion of each of the temple arms is adjacent to the frontsupport so that the raised portion of each of the temple arms comprisesthe forward end portion thereof.
 7. The illuminated eyewear of claim 6wherein the rearward end portion of each temple arm extends laterallyinward and downward, and the raised portion of each temple arm is offsetlaterally inward from an adjacent portion of the temple arm with thetemple arms pivoted open relative to the front support.
 8. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 6 wherein the temple arms each have upperand lower surfaces that extend therealong which are spaced by a greaterdistance at the forward end portion than at the rearward end portion. 9.The illuminated eyewear of claim 8 wherein at least one of the upper andlower surfaces tapers toward the other of the upper and lower surfacesto transition between the forward and rearward end portions of each ofthe temple arms.
 10. The illuminated eyewear of claim 5 wherein thetemple arms each have a portion adjacent to the raised portion thereofthat is laterally narrower than the lateral width of the batterycompartment.
 11. The illuminated eyewear of claim 10 wherein temple armseach have a longitudinal axis extending therealong and a shoulderextending generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis between theraised portion and laterally narrower adjacent portion thereof.
 12. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 1 wherein electrical components to energizethe light source including the batteries and a switch device areintegrated into the temple arms to avoid having electrical componentsthat span the pivot connections between the temple arms and the frontsupport.
 13. The illuminated eyewear of claim 1 wherein the forward endportion of each of the temple arms includes a forwardmost end and anopening therein, and the light source comprises an LED mounted in theopening and having a lens projecting forwardly therefrom.
 14. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 1 wherein the substantially flat, inner andouter surface portions of each of the temple arms comprise substantiallyflat, laterally inner and laterally outer surface portions in each ofthe battery compartments, and the main surfaces of the batteries are inconfronting, face-to-face relation with adjacent ones of thesubstantially flat, laterally inner and laterally outer surface portionsof the corresponding battery compartments.
 15. The illuminated eyewearof claim 14 where each of the temple arm members includes a removablecover fastened thereto and having one of the substantially flat,laterally inner and outer surface portions.
 16. The illuminated eyewearof claim 1 wherein the substantially flat, inner and outer surfaceportions of each of the temple arms comprise substantially flat,laterally inner and laterally outer external surface portions of thetemple arms toward which the main surfaces of the batteries face. 17.The illuminated eyewear of claim 16 wherein each of the temple armmembers includes a removable cover fastened thereto and having one ofthe substantially flat, laterally inner and laterally outer externalsurface portions.
 18. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongatetemple arm assemblies each having forward and rearward portions and alongitudinal axis extending therebetween; a front support including abridge portion extending laterally between the forward portions of thetemple arm assemblies with the temple arm assemblies and bridge portionadapted to be supported on a user's ears and nose, respectively; a pivotconnection between each of the forward portions of the temple armassemblies and the front support for pivoting of the temple armassemblies open and closed relative thereto so that when closed thetemple arm assemblies generally extend laterally along the front supportand when open the temple arm assemblies generally extend in afore-and-aft longitudinal direction so that the rearward portions aredistal from the front support; a battery compartment of each temple armassembly at the forward portions thereof; a substantially flat outerwall portion of each temple arm assembly forward portion that faceslaterally outward and a substantially flat inner wall portion of eachtemple arm assembly forward portion that faces laterally inward with thetemple arm assemblies pivoted open, the substantially flat outer andinner wall portions extending on either side of the batterycompartments; a forward end surface of each of the temple arm assemblyforward portions having an opening therein in communication with thebattery compartment; a plurality of LED light sources each having a lensthereof with at least one LED light source being mounted to each templearm assembly at the forward portion thereof so that the lens projectsthrough the opening and forwardly beyond the forward end surface; and aplurality of disc-shaped batteries each having substantially flat mainsurfaces thereof with the batteries being arranged in the batterycompartments for providing power to the LED light sources and to havethe substantially flat main surfaces thereof in facing relation to therespective substantially flat outer and inner wall portions of thetemple arm assemblies.
 19. The illuminated eyewear of claim 18 whereinthe forward portions of the temple arm assemblies each carry a switchoperable to turn the respective LED light sources on and off.
 20. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 18 wherein the forward portions of thetemple arm assemblies each include curved support surfaces that extendabout the opening to fixedly capture the LED lens therebetween.
 21. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 18 wherein the elongate temple armassemblies include elongate temple arms having the substantially flatouter and inner wall portions integrally formed therewith.
 22. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 21 wherein the elongate temple arms eachhave a switch on one of the substantially flat outer and inner wallportions thereof.
 23. The illuminated eyewear of claim 18 wherein thebattery compartments are each sized to contain at two of the disc-shapedbatteries closely spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis ofthe temple arm assembly so that the substantially flat main surfaces ofeach of the two disc-shaped batteries face corresponding adjacent onesof the respective substantially flat outer and inner wall portionswithout the other disc-shaped battery being disposed therebetween. 24.The illuminated eyewear of claim 18 wherein the forward portion of eachtemple arm assembly at the battery compartment thereof is laterallythicker between the substantially flat outer and inner wall portionsthan along the respective rearward portions of the temple armassemblies.
 25. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongatetemple arm members each having forward and rearward ends; a cross-framemember having opposite ends at which the forward ends of the temple armmembers are pivotally connected; an opening in the forward end of eachof the temple arm members; a pair of LEDs each including a lens witheach LED received in a respective one of the forward end openings sothat the lens extends through the forward end opening to project outforwardly therefrom; a thin rear portion of each of the temple armmembers; opposite inner and outer flat surface portions of each of thetemple arm members laterally spaced from each and extending lengthwisealong the respective temple arm members adjacent the forward endsthereof; an enlarged forward portion of each of the temple arm membersthat is laterally thicker between the opposite flat surface portions andvertically larger in a vertical direction along the opposite flatsurface portions than the temple arm member thin rear portion; a taperedportion of each of the temple arm members that tapers from thevertically larger forward portion to the thin rear portion to transitiontherebetween; a battery compartment between the opposite flat surfaceportions of each of the temple arm members; and a pair of disc-shapedbatteries each having substantially flat, opposite main surfaces thereofand being arranged in a non-overlapping orientation relative to eachother in each of the battery compartments so that each of the mainsurfaces of the batteries directly faces one or the other of theopposite, flat surface portions of the temple arm members.
 26. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 25 wherein the temple arm members each havea longitudinal axis generally extending therealong, the disc-shapedbatteries have centers that are aligned with each other along thelongitudinal axis of each of the temple arm members, and the openings inthe forward ends of the temple arm members are each offset from thelongitudinal axis of the respective temple arm members such that theLEDs are offset from the aligned centers of the batteries along the axisof each temple arm member.
 27. The illuminated eyewear of claim 25wherein the temple arm members each include a pivot member extendinglaterally inward from the inner flat surface portion thereof forpivotally connecting the forward ends of the temple arm members to theopposite ends of the cross-frame member.
 28. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 25 wherein the temple arm members each include a rearward portionthat extends laterally inward and downward to the temple arm memberrearward end with the temple arm members pivoted open to generallyextend rearwardly from the cross-frame member.
 29. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 25 wherein the opposite inner and outer surfaceportions of each of the temple arms comprise laterally inner andlaterally outer surface portions in each of the battery compartments,and the main surfaces of the batteries are in confronting, face-to-facerelation with adjacent ones of the laterally inner and laterally outersurface portions of the corresponding battery compartments.
 30. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 29 where each of the temple arm membersincludes a removable cover fastened thereto and having one of thelaterally inner and laterally outer surface portions.
 31. Theilluminated eyewear if claim 25 wherein the opposite inner and outersurface portions of each of the temple arms comprise laterally inner andouter external surface portions of the temple arms toward which the mainsurfaces of the batteries face.
 32. The illuminated eyewear of claim 31wherein each of the temple arm members includes a removable coverfastened thereto and having one of the laterally inner and outerexternal surface portions.
 33. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair ofelongate temple arm members each having forward and rearward ends; across-frame member extending laterally between the forward ends of thetemple arm members; a forwardly facing opening in each of the temple armmembers at the forward ends thereof; an LED received in each of theforwardly facing openings for projecting light forwardly from thecross-frame member; a battery compartment in each of the temple armmembers; a plurality of disc-shaped batteries received in each of thebattery compartments, the disc-shaped batteries each having a diameter;an enlarged portion of each of the temple arm members in which thebattery compartments are formed with the enlarged portions beingenlarged relative to adjacent portions of the temple arm members so thatthe battery compartments are slightly larger than the diameter of thedisc-shaped batteries.
 34. The illuminated eyewear of claim 33 whereinthe battery compartments are adjacent the rearward ends of the templearm members.
 35. The illuminated eyewear of claim 34 wherein the templearm members each include a forward portion including the forward endwith the enlarged portion of each of the temple arm members comprising arearward portion thereof including the rearward end, the rearwardportion including the battery compartment thereof extending rearwardlyand downwardly from the temple arm forward portion.
 36. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 33 wherein the LEDs each include a lens that extendsthrough the temple arm forwardly facing opening to project forwardlytherefrom.
 37. The illuminated eyewear of claim 33 wherein the pluralityof disc-shaped batteries each have centers that are aligned with thebatteries received in the battery compartments therefor, the temple armmembers each have a longitudinal axis generally extending therealong,and the battery compartments each have a battery axis extending throughthe aligned centers of the batteries therein that extends transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the respective temple arm members.
 38. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 33 wherein the temple arm members eachinclude a pivot member at the forward ends thereof extending laterallyinward therefrom for pivotally connecting the forward ends of the templearm members to the opposite ends of the cross-frame member.
 39. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 33 wherein each of the temple arm membersincludes, laterally inner and laterally outer wall portions extendingalong the respective battery compartments, the plurality of disc-shapedbatteries each have opposite, substantially flat main surfaces, andmultiple ones of the batteries are received in a non-overlappingarrangement in each of the battery compartments so that thesubstantially flat main surfaces of each battery faces one or the otherof the inner and outer wall portions without another disc-shaped batterydisposed therebetween.
 40. The illuminated eyewear of claim 39 whereineach of the temple arm members includes a removable cover fastenedthereto and comprising one of the laterally inner and laterally outerwall portions thereof.
 41. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair ofelongate temple arms each having forward and rearward portions; innerand outer wall portions of the forward portion of each temple arm havinga substantially flat configuration and extending lengthwise along theforward portion of the temple arm; a front support including a bridgeportion extending laterally between the forward portions of the templearms with the temple arms and bridge portion adapted to be supported ona user's ears and nose, respectively; a pivot connection between each ofthe forward portions of the temple arms and the front support forpivoting of the temple arms relative thereto; a light source mounted toeach temple arm to project light forwardly from the forward end portionthereof; a plurality of disc-shaped batteries for providing power to thelight sources and each having substantially flat, opposite mainsurfaces; and a narrow battery compartment of the forward portion ofeach temple arm laterally between the respective substantially flatinner and outer wall portions thereof, the narrow battery compartmenthaving a thin lateral width between the substantially flat temple arminner and outer wall portions sized so that a pair of the disc batteriesare received in a non-overlapping arrangement in each compartment withthe main surfaces of the batteries facing the substantially flat innerand outer wall portions of the respective temple arms.
 42. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 41 wherein the temple arms have upper andlower surfaces that extend along the inner and outer wall portions andwhich define a temple arm height therebetween that is larger along thebattery compartment than the thin lateral width thereof.
 43. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 42 wherein the temple arm height issubstantially constant along the battery compartment.
 44. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 42 wherein the disc-shaped batteries have adiameter, and the batteries are received in each of the batterycompartments to be spaced in a lengthwise direction along the templearms with the upper and lower surfaces of the temple arms extendingclosely above and below the batteries to keep the temple arm height to aminimum relative to the battery diameter.
 45. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 41 wherein the inner wall portion is offset so that the templearms each include a raised portion in which the battery compartment isdisposed.
 46. The illuminated eyewear of claim 45 wherein the raisedportion of each of the temple arms is adjacent to the front support. 47.The illuminated eyewear of claim 46 wherein the rearward portion of eachtemple arm extends laterally inward and downward, and the raised portionof each temple arm is offset laterally inward from an adjacent portionof the temple arm with the temple arms pivoted open relative to thefront support.
 48. The illuminated eyewear of claim 46 wherein thetemple arms each have upper and lower surfaces that extend therealongwhich are spaced by a greater distance at the forward portion than atthe rearward portion.
 49. The illuminated eyewear of claim 48 wherein atleast one of the upper and lower surfaces tapers toward the other of theupper and lower surfaces to transition between the forward and rearwardportions of each of the temple arms.
 50. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 45 wherein the temple arms each have a portion adjacent to theraised portion thereof that is laterally narrower than the lateral widthof the temple arm at the battery compartment.
 51. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 50 wherein temple arms each have a longitudinal axisextending therealong and a shoulder extending generally orthogonally tothe longitudinal axis between the raised portion and laterally narroweradjacent portion thereof.
 52. The illuminated eyewear of claim 41wherein electrical components to energize the light source including thebatteries and a switch device are integrated into the temple arms toavoid having electrical components that span the pivot connectionsbetween the temple arms and the front support.
 53. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 41 wherein the forward portion of each of the templearms includes a forwardmost end and an opening therein, and the lightsource comprises an LED mounted in the opening.
 54. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 41 wherein each of the temple arm members includes aremovable cover fastened thereto and comprising one of the substantiallyflat inner and outer wall portions thereof.
 55. Illuminated eyewearcomprising: a pair of elongate temple arm assemblies each having forwardand rearward portions and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; afront support including a bridge portion extending laterally between theforward portions of the temple arm assemblies with the temple armassemblies and bridge portion adapted to be supported on a user's earsand nose, respectively; a pivot connection between each of the forwardportions of the temple arm assemblies and the front support for pivotingof the temple arm assemblies open and closed relative thereto so thatwhen closed the temple arm assemblies generally extend laterally alongthe front support and when open the temple arm assemblies generallyextend in a fore-and-aft longitudinal direction so that the rearwardportions are distal from the front support; a battery compartment ofeach temple arm assembly at the forward portions thereof; asubstantially flat outer wall portion of each temple arm assemblyforward portion that has a laterally outward facing surface and asubstantially flat inner wall portion of each temple arm assemblyforward portion that has a laterally inward facing surface with thetemple arm assemblies pivoted open, the substantially flat outer andinner wall portions extending on either side of the batterycompartments; a forward end surface of each of the temple arm assemblyforward portions having an opening therein in communication with thebattery compartment; a plurality of LED light sources with at least oneLED light source being mounted to each temple arm assembly at theforward portion thereof so that the LED light source extends in theopening; and a plurality of disc-shaped batteries each havingsubstantially flat main surfaces thereof with the batteries beingarranged in the battery compartments for providing power to the LEDlight sources and to have one of the substantially flat main surfacesthereof facing toward the substantially flat outer wall portion and theother of the substantially flat main surfaces facing toward thesubstantially flat inner wall portion.
 56. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 55 wherein the forward portions of the temple arm assemblies eachcarry a switch operable to turn the respective LED light sources on andoff.
 57. The illuminated eyewear of claim 55 wherein the forwardportions of the temple arm assemblies each include curved supportsurfaces that extend about the opening to fixedly capture the LED lenstherebetween.
 58. The illuminated eyewear of claim 55 wherein theelongate temple arm assemblies include elongate temple arms having thesubstantially flat outer and inner wall portions.
 59. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 58 wherein each of the temple arms includes a removablecover fastened thereto and comprising one of the substantially flatouter and inner wall portions thereof.
 60. The illuminated eyewear ofclaim 58 wherein the elongate temple arms each have a switch on one ofthe substantially flat outer and inner wall portions thereof.
 61. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 55 wherein the battery compartments areeach sized to contain at two of the disc-shaped batteries closely spacedfrom each other along the longitudinal axis of the temple arm assemblyso that the substantially flat main surfaces of each of the twodisc-shaped batteries face corresponding adjacent ones of the respectivesubstantially flat outer and inner wall portions without the otherdisc-shaped battery being disposed therebetween.
 62. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 55 wherein the forward portion of each temple armassembly at the battery compartment thereof is laterally thicker betweenthe substantially flat outer and inner wall portions than along therespective rearward portions of the temple arm assemblies. 63.Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongate temple arm memberseach having forward and rearward ends; a cross-frame member havingopposite ends at which the forward ends of the temple arm members arepivotally connected; an opening in the forward end of each of the templearm members; a pair of LEDs each including a lens with each LED receivedin a respective one of the forward end openings so that the lens extendsin the forward end opening to project light forwardly therefrom; a thinrear portion of each of the temple arm members; opposite substantiallyflat inner and outer wall portions of each of the temple arm memberslaterally spaced from each and extending lengthwise along the respectivetemple arm members adjacent the forward ends thereof; an enlargedforward portion of each of the temple arm members that is laterallythicker between the opposite, substantially flat wall portions andvertically larger in a vertical direction along the opposite,substantially flat wall portions than the temple arm member thin rearportion; a tapered portion of each of the temple arm members that tapersfrom the vertically larger forward portion to the thin rear portion totransition therebetween; a battery compartment between the opposite,substantially flat wall portions of each of the temple arm members; anda pair of disc-shaped batteries each having opposite, substantially flatmain surfaces thereof and being arranged in a non-overlappingorientation relative to each other in each of the battery compartmentsso that each of the main surfaces of the batteries directly faces one orthe other of the opposite, substantially flat wall portions of thetemple arm members.
 64. The illuminated eyewear of claim 63 wherein thetemple arm members each have a longitudinal axis generally extendingtherealong, the disc-shaped batteries have centers that are generallyaligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of each of thetemple arm members, and the openings in the forward ends of the templearm members are each offset from the longitudinal axis of the respectivetemple arm members such that the LEDs are offset from the alignedcenters of the batteries along the axis of each temple arm member. 65.The illuminated eyewear of claim 63 wherein the temple arm members eachinclude a pivot member extending laterally inward from the inner flatsurface portion thereof for pivotally connecting the forward ends of thetemple arm members to the opposite ends of the cross-frame member. 66.The illuminated eyewear of claim 63 wherein the temple arm members eachinclude a rearward portion that extends laterally inward and downward tothe temple arm member rearward end with the temple arm members pivotedopen to generally extend rearwardly from the cross-frame member.
 67. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 63 wherein each of the temple arm membersincludes a removable cover fastened thereto and comprising one of thesubstantially flat inner and outer wall portions thereof. 68.Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongate temple arm memberseach having forward and rearward ends; a cross-frame member extendinglaterally between the forward ends of the temple arm members; aforwardly facing opening in each of the temple arm members at theforward ends thereof; an LED received in each of the forwardly facingopenings for projecting light forwardly from the cross-frame member; abattery compartment in each of the temple arm members; a plurality ofdisc-shaped batteries received in each of the battery compartments, thedisc-shaped batteries each having a diameter; an enlarged portion ofeach of the temple arm members in which the battery compartments areformed with the enlarged portions being enlarged relative to adjacentportions of the temple arm members so that the battery compartments areslightly larger than the diameter of the disc-shaped batteries.
 69. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 68 wherein the battery compartments areadjacent the forward ends of the temple arm members.
 70. The illuminatedeyewear of claim 69 wherein the temple arm members each include aforward portion including the forward end with the enlarged portion ofeach of the temple arm members comprising the forward portion thereofincluding the forward end.
 71. The illuminated eyewear of claim 68wherein the LEDs each include a lens that extends in the temple armforwardly facing opening to project light forwardly therefrom.
 72. Theilluminated eyewear of claim 68 wherein the temple arm members each havea longitudinal axis generally extending therealong, the disc-shapedbatteries have centers that are aligned with each other along thelongitudinal axis of each of the temple arm members, and the openings inthe forward ends of the temple arm members are each offset from thelongitudinal axis of the respective temple arm members such that theLEDs are offset from the aligned centers of the batteries along the axisof each temple arm member.
 73. The illuminated eyewear of claim 68wherein the temple arm members each include a pivot member at theforward ends thereof extending laterally inward therefrom for pivotallyconnecting the forward ends of the temple arm members to the oppositeends of the cross-frame member.
 74. The illuminated eyewear of claim 68wherein each of the temple arm members includes substantially flatlaterally inner and laterally outer wall portions extending along therespective battery compartments, the plurality of disc-shaped batterieseach have opposite, substantially flat main surfaces, and multiple onesof the batteries are received in a non-overlapping arrangement in eachof the battery compartments so that the substantially flat main surfacesof each battery faces one or the other of the substantially flat innerand outer wall portions without another disc-shaped battery disposedtherebetween.
 75. The illuminated eyewear of claim 74 wherein each ofthe temple arm members includes a removable cover fastened thereto andcomprising one of the substantially flat laterally inner and laterallyouter wall portions thereof.